The race to replace MPP Rick Byers in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound is officially underway. The Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Progressive Conservative Riding Association has called a nomination meeting for January 18, 2025 at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound to select a new candidate to represent the PC Party in the next provincial election.
Byers, who was elected in the 2022 provincial election, provided notice of his departure in September, allowing the riding association enough time to hold a proper nomination process. Riding Association Vice President of Communications Karen MacInnis tells CKNXNewsToday.ca that the process is expected to be hotly-contested.
"Rick gave us plenty of time to hold a proper nomination meeting. We don’t know when the next election will be called, but this ensures we’re ready and gives people in the riding enough time to consider if they’re interested in stepping forward," she said.
The decision to hold the meeting more than a year before the next scheduled election, tentatively set for June 4, 2026, mirrors a strategy used in the past. MacInnis referenced the 2011 transition from former MPP Bill Murdoch to Bill Walker, which also allowed candidates ample time to introduce themselves and engage with residents.
"We want the same opportunity this time, for candidates to travel the riding, talk to people, and understand the issues that matter to them," MacInnis said, confirming that the riding association has received guidelines from Premier Doug Ford's office, and that they will have final say about which candidate they add to the party slate.
MacInnis also says the nomination process will draw inspiration from the 2019 federal nomination meeting for MP Alex Ruff, albeit with a few tweaks and a new location. The January event will include speeches, meet-and-greet tables, and a day-long voting process, culminating in the announcement of the winner.
The riding of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound has consistently supported the PC Party. Byers, who was elected in 2022 with nearly 49 per cent of the vote, succeeded Walker, who himself served as MPP for 11 years.
Eligible voters must be residents of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound and hold a valid PC Party membership by the deadline of January 4, 2025. Memberships can be purchased or renewed at ontariopc.ca.