Gaudet seeks to refocus and recommit outreach initiatives

January 10th, 2011 - Toronto - Citing the Ontario PC Party's need to increase its support base throughout the province, Kevin Gaudet, a candidate for the party's presidency, said today the PCs should commit to a "Building Bridges Outreach Program".

"If our party is to grow, it must reach out to new, non-traditional bases of support," said Gaudet. "We need to attract new members from a wide variety of communities, particularly those in the 416 and 905 area codes, by building bridges and by demonstrating that their values are in line with existing PC Party values."

To achieve this, Gaudet is proposing the party executive include a Vice President position that's permanently dedicated to outreach. He also wants the party to consider hiring a full time paid organizer to work on outreach initiatives. Gaudet says any outreach program should also include engaging northern Ontarians as well as Francophones. "Improving the way our party handles outreach is a core part of my five point plan to build together for victory," said Gaudet. "We can accomplish this by committing permanent resources towards a successful Building Bridges Outreach Program."

Gaudet, former National Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and a candidate in the 2011 Ontario Provincial election, has been touring Ontario listening to PC Party members talk about the last provincial election and what they think is needed to help the PC party make a breakthrough.