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The battle for 2019 has already begun: Conservatives gearing up for election

Jan 25, 2019 | 3:05 PM

OTTAWA — Canada’s Conservatives are unapologetically in unofficial election campaign mode as they gather in Ottawa for a three-day caucus retreat this weekend.

The MPs and Senators are gathering partly to prepare for the reopening of Parliament next week after the lengthy Christmas break, but it is Oct. 21 — election day — that is getting most of their attention.

“The battle for 2019 has already begun” declared an email blast to members ahead of the retreat which will include a number of activities related to campaign strategy and preparedness.

The party is sharpening its message to Canadians to convince them the Conservatives are ready to topple the Trudeau government.

Deputy leader Lisa Raitt says MPs are hearing concerns from their constituents about the overall state of the country and how it is affecting their personal finances, echoing messaging shared by party leader Andrew Scheer in a series of town halls held across the country over the last few months.

Conservatives are going into the meeting bolstered by news the party brought in $24 million in 2018, a record fundraising haul for a non-election year.

 

 

The Canadian Press

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