Ontario PC Party leadership hopeful Monte McNaughton is promising an election win in 2018 if elected leader and he may be looking to the federal Conservatives' campaign playbook for guidance.
The Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP feels part of the winning solution is to have more influence from party members.
"I'm not a leader that's scared of giving more of a say to the members like some of our other leaders have been in the past. I think that'll bring success in 2018," says McNaughton, adding the provincial PCs could learn from their federal cousins led under Prime Minister Stephen Harper. "I think they're getting the books back to balance and cutting taxes for young moms and dads and helping the small businesses along the way. I think that's a good approach and they've won the last number of elections, so that message is working."
McNaughton met with supporters in a meet and greet event at Retro Suites in Chatham on Monday night where Tilbury's Mike Peltier heard from the leadership candidate for the first time.
"He represents good values from what I can take, that's important," says Peltier. "I believe he's got some wisdom behind him which is great."
In attending the Chatham event, McNaughton missed the first Ontario PC Party leadership debate held in Sudbury on Monday night. McNaughton says the Chatham event was planned months in advance and wanted to keep his word to attend.
MPP and Ontario PC Party leadership candidate Monte McNaughton attends a meet and greet event in Chatham on November 24, 2014. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
