[ EDITOR: The PICKERING-UXBRIDGE District Conservative Association held its AGM (Annual General Meeting) Mar 10. The meeting was stormy as there was some confusion in its intent: populating its Board of Directors vs open meeting for nomination of the constituency candidate for the federal representation. The information below is posted as public information while the PUCDA officials declared the meeting info was restricted to attending members only.
A summary of the meeting is posted guided by the freedom of the press guidelines of the constitution. However with due respect to PUCDA, what has been underlined as confidential information has not been published.]
The Pickering-Uxbridge Conservative District Association held a nomination meeting at the Pickering Legion Hall on Sunday, March 12, 2024.
The meeting purpose, intent or goals were blurry at best. Attendees believed that this meeting was called to determine the candidate for the riding in the next federal election.
Chaired by Board of Directors, Deputy Director, Jeremy Hollingsworth, the meeting attendees were admonished from the outset to eschew private conversations, put away cell phones and not record videos or photos of the meeting. A surprising declaration given that this meeting was part of a democratic, freedom of assembly society.
The meeting opened with the Hollingsworth declaration followed by reports by the PCDA President Usha Chahar and the association’s treasurer, Zillah Pamphille. Technical difficulties made it difficult to discern what was being reported. However, the two speakers soldiered on.
The floor next opened to nomination declarations with three presenters submitting nominee lists either orally or by hard copy. In any case, Chair Hollingsworth clarified that these new submissions needed to undergo several rules to be accepted. Listed nominees needed to be present to submit requested documentation to be deemed acceptable for nomination. With a list of well over 75 nominees, the process was expected to take a while.
Meanwhile, one audience member motioned that the meeting be ended and he received a second. The meeting was terminated, seemingly with more business to be completed.
Unfortunately, the meeting now descended into chaos and confusion as people mingled, glad-handed with recognizable political big whigs and little whigs too. The turmoil looked like it was going to continue which it did for half an hour.
This reporter was unable to remain for the balance of the ‘meeting.’ However, rather than leave site visitors with incomplete information, he has requested an update from John Meloche, secretary of PUCDA.
_____________
Addendum #1
from John Meloche…
Yesterday’s (Mar. 12, 2024) event was our Annual General Meeting for our Riding Association, where we nominate and elect members to our Board of Directors. This event wasn’t about selecting our Candidate in the Nomination contest. However, it appears one particular “self-identified” candidate, already officially disallowed from running for nomination by the CPC, has misunderstood the purpose of an AGM, or possibly the entire purpose of our EDA.
There was confusion for some, as they were invited to support a Candidate for Nomination, which is puzzling. Not only were many of these individuals from outside the riding, but many also didn’t have valid memberships. They were added to a nomination slate without their knowledge and subsequently requested to be removed from the ballot.
Our PUCEDA Board of Directors consists of dedicated Conservative volunteers committed to promoting the values and principles of the Conservative Party of Canada in the Pickering-Uxbridge riding. Our Electoral Riding Association (EDA) works closely with our community, advocating for issues that matter most and supporting local candidates in their campaigns for public office.
We are led by an exceptional group of volunteers who serve on our board of directors. These individuals are committed to serving their community and working tirelessly to advance the conservative cause. Each brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion to their roles, and we are grateful for their leadership and dedication.
[We thank Secretary Meloche for his clarification and update.]
_____________
Addendum #2
from Anthony Yacub…
[There has been some controversy regarding the eligibility of Anthony Yacub as candidate nominee for the constituency. With due respect to freedoms of speech, association and press in Canada, material re this issue is posted below.]
“Is Anthony Yacub an Eligible Candidate” for the candidacy Pickering-Uxbridge constituency?
[ To access this document –> ELIGIBLE? ]
[Material provided by Anthony Yacub]
We thank Anthony Yacub for giving us access to this information.
_____________
