The Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Federal Liberal Association has a new chair.
Anne Marie Watson, who ran for the Liberals in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound in September’s federal election, was recently elected chair of the local riding association.
She is succeeding Michael Johnston in the role, who stepped aside in order to focus on the upcoming Ontario election.
Watson lives in West Grey and has been involved with the Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Federal Liberal Association for the past seven years, primarily as fundraising chair. In addition to running for office in September, Watson worked on two prior Liberal campaigns in the region.
The Liberal Party was a distant second in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound in the 2021 Canadian election, garnering 25.2 per cent of votes. That is below the 30.1 per cent vote share the Liberals had in the riding in the 2019 election.
Watson says her first focus as chair of the local riding association is to build up a strong team. From there: fundraising, advocacy, education and policy work will be undertaken.
“From a lot of people I talked to and volunteers talked to, I think there’s a sense of alienation here in this riding as there is in many rural ridings. People in rural ridings, including Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, feel that maybe the federal party isn’t listening to them or isn’t reflecting their interests,” Watson says. “ I can’t disagree with them … I’m part of those people that are a little bit unhappy. I think we saw some of that in this election.”
Watson says that’s a concern for the local Liberal riding association and the team will be working to reach out to people in the riding to identify what issues are most important to them and ensure they are brought to the attention of those in Ottawa.
“We want to be able to stay in touch with the electors,” Watson adds. “And bring to light some of the policies, issues and concerns that maybe are more relevant for this area.”
