2021-05-19

Rick Perkins carries Conservatives’ federal hopes in South Shore-St. Margaret’s

by KEITH CORCORAN

  • <p>SOURCE: FACEBOOK/RICK PERKINS FOR SOUTH SHORE-ST.MARGARET&#8217;S</p><p>Rick Perkins is going to try a second time to upend an incumbent Liberal cabinet minister in the federal riding of South Shore - St. Margaret&#8217;s whenever the next election is called.</p>

Conservatives in South Shore-St. Margaret's look again to Rick Perkins to make another attempt at upending an incumbent federal Liberal cabinet minister.

The St. Margaret's Bay area businessman hopes to make further gains as his party chewed into Bernadette Jordan's vote in the 2019 general election. While Conservative totals at the ballot box rose in 2019 compared to the 2015 election, Jordan's percentage of popular vote plummeted to 42 per cent in 2019 from the 57 per cent four years earlier.

Perkins is focused on what he sees as vulnerabilities surrounding Jordan and the Trudeau Liberals. Speaking to LighthouseNOW via phone, Perkins said Jordan's performance as an MP and part of the government's inner circle have yielded "a desire for a change."

Perkins's nomination confirmation was announced in early May.

As Fisheries and Oceans minister, Jordan has been criticized for her handling of fishing issues and tensions in the southwest part of the province.

Conservative leader Erin O'Toole deemed her "absent" on the fisheries dispute and when it comes to post-pandemic economic recovery plans.

"I think Ms. Jordan is more of an Ottawa-focused, Ottawa-knows-best politician than she is representing the local people on the ground," O'Toole told LighthouseNOW during a brief phone interview May 10.

First elected in 2015, Jordan is seeking a third term as MP. In a statement released by her office, Jordan said she is looking forward to a "respectful, robust campaign and to connecting with our community members" whenever the election is called.

"What our government has accomplished over the last five years ... has been good for Canada, and good for Nova Scotia," she said. "I've heard first-hand the positive impacts our government's actions, policies and investments have had on the lives of people right here on the South Shore. We need to keep building on that progress."

O'Toole suggested the government needs to make better economic progress.

"We face a real crisis if interest rates go up and inflation is already rising; people see that buying lumber to build their deck or buy groceries," O'Toole said.

Perkins suggested the electorate tends to give first-term governments a second shot at leading and are less receptive to making changes no matter the competing candidate or party. He said this time is different. "Governments, generally, don't last more than eight-to-10 years," Perkins explained. "We are getting close to the best-before-date in this government."

O'Toole is confident of Perkins's chances whenever the writ is dropped.

"Gerald [Keddy] was a very good advocate for the region," he said, referencing the New Ross area Conservative who represented the riding for 18 years, "and I think Rick will be as well."

Perkins was equally complimentary about O'Toole. "He's not the selfie king," he quipped, "but he's an effective leader."

The other major political party, the NDP, have yet to confirm a candidate in South Shore-St. Margaret's.

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