A bus load of people from Bruce Grey-Owen Sound took a four- hour trip, last Friday, to meet Michael Ignatieff. Some on the bus were long time Liberals supporters, but many were supporters of first time Liberal candidate, Kimberley Love and those just interested in taking advantage of an opportunity to meet Mr. Ignatieff and judge him for themselves.
“Yes, we know there is a lot of criticism,” said Judy Gay, president of the Bruce Grey-Owen Sound Federal Liberal Association, “but we were blown away by this very engaging person who connects easily and doesn’t stand aloof or on ceremony.”
The informal meeting for representatives of four Georgian Bay ridings at the home of Dr. Carolyn Bennett, Liberal health critic, was an ideal setting for Ignatieff’s promise to protect the environmental legacy of the Great Lakes.
Ignatieff spoke at length about the Harper attack on democracy and the whittling away of our watchdog institutions that interfere with his narrow conservative agenda.
The bus, dubbed the “Love Bus” picked up passengers in Hanover, Owen Sound and Meaford.
Kimberely Love, the Liberal candidate, was on the bus with her husband and daughter, handing out juice boxes and snacks. Passengers included 93-year old Glen Rawson, of Hanover, who Mr. Ignatieff quoted in his remarks. Also on board were several members of the newly formed Young Liberals Association, including their president, Kaisha Thompson of Meaford.
Thompson along with another Young Liberal from Meaford, Robyn Beardsall, enjoyed the experience of chatting with Members of Parliament one on one. They talked to Martha Hall Findlay about Georgian Bay Secondary School, which they all attended. Hall Findlay posted the photo she took with Thompson and Beardsall on Twitter almost immediately.
“It was fun to talk to Martha. She was so happy to learn we also went to GBSS! She even tweeted our picture together!” said Thompson.
For local Liberals the experience cemented their views that the Liberal party has a strong leader with a clear vision for Canada, especially on serious issues, such as equality and the environment.
