- by Anne Finlay-Stewart, Editor

It's up to the Conservative members now – and according to Paul Boulter, the chair of the nomination committee,there are now 2600 Party members eligible to vote for a Conservative candidate for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound.

Tonight the five candidates – Chad Richards, Rick Byers, Ken Brown, Paul Vickers and Alex Ruff - spoke to a large crowd at East Ridge Community School. Most spent some of their allotted seven minutes praising and thanking M.P. Larry Miller for his 15 years of service to the riding, and giving Justin Trudeau and the Liberals a thorough rebuke.

There were common themes of roots in the riding, listening to constituents, the importance of agriculture, fiscal responsibility, and being a strong voice for the region and rural Canadians.

But while they all sold themselves as champions of Conservative values and worthy successors to Larry Miller, they also had to differentiate themselves from each other. Most of that was in experience – in fields of finance, co-operatives, elected office, the military, parliament hill, agriculture and businesses large and small. Guns, pipelines, veterans, taxes and immigration were each mentioned in no more than two speeches.

If there is a clear front runner, the room did not give it away. There were some hats and buttons, but most people appeared to be genuinely hoping to hear something Monday night that would make up their minds.

The vote itself will take place next Monday, April 22, at East Ridge School from 3 until 8 p.m. A current membership in the Conservative Party of Canada bought before March 28 or lapsed no more than 90 days, and government issued photo ID with proof of an address within the riding boundaries will be necessary to vote - “no exceptions”.