What a delight, Mr. Speaker. We had a Progressive Conservative victory in Perth--Middlesex. A determined PC candidate, Gary Schellenberger ran a hard fought campaign and won Monday night's byelection.
However it appears the Prime Minister has decided to blame his byelection blues on everyone else but himself and his government, saying that they had a problem in the riding and were unlucky. In typical Liberal fashion the PM blamed the previous Liberal member who held that riding.
Before the Prime Minister shrugs off this loss, perhaps he should realize that the voters of Perth--Middlesex have sent him a clear message: that they no longer tolerate the mismanagement of health care; the fishery; softwood lumber; agriculture; military; and the conflict in Iraq. The people of Perth--Middlesex chose not to reward the Prime Minister and his Liberal government for their continued mismanagement of national affairs.
The Prime Minister said the previous member stayed too long. Perhaps after 40 years this Prime Minister has stayed too long.