Andrew Keyes

The following is the transcript of the speech I delivered on March 8, 2007 at the Oak Ridges-Markham CPC nomination meeting.

When I first announced I’d be seeking this nomination I was overwhelmed by the show of support I received – and I’m very grateful to all of you.

In particular I’d like to thank Bob Callow, not only for the support he gave me over the past few weeks, but for the time and dedication he gave our riding and our party over the past number of years. Thanks to Bob’s hard work we saw our numbers increase from 20,000 to 28,000 votes over the past two elections.

Janesse McPhillips and Renée Torrington, our riding is very lucky to have two of the most dynamic and hardworking women I know.

You and so many others have been a huge help.

I’d also like to thank Marjorie Neilson and the members of the EDA board. In particular Solette Gelberg and the Nomination Committee.

And finally I have to say that I wouldn’t be here tonight without the support and the encouragement of my family.

Ania, Catherine, and Daniel, you’ve been terrific.

Before I move on to the “Why Me” and the “How we’ll Win” I wanted to tell you a bit about myself.

My parents arrived in Canada as immigrants following the second world war … and … starting with nothing … they both worked very hard to provide for us.

After high school I attended Ryerson University. While I appreciated the fact my parents were there to help if needed, I chose to pay my own way. I graduated at the top of my class, and it felt good knowing I had done it on my own.

It wasn’t long after entering the full-time workforce that I met Ania – my wife of 22 years, and before long we had two fabulous children.

My priority over the next several years was to provide for my family. Like so many of you – we bought a small house, with a big mortgage.

Ania and I both worked full-time, and we lived through the very real challenges of high interest rates and limited childcare options.

This first-hand experience has given us a real appreciation of what young families are faced with today.

By the late nineties our two small children were becoming big children, and we soon outgrew the little East York bungalow.

We needed more room, so we looked further north and found Cornell, in Markham.

We immediately bought into the idea of a neighbourhood that not only fostered old-fashioned caring community values, but this “new urbanism” was also in keeping with our deep felt concern for our natural environment.

While my family was growing, so was my business.

Over the past 20 years I’ve been helping companies, governments, and organizations communicate to their customers effectively and cost-efficiently.

And I’ve become very good at it, having been recognized with numerous industry awards and having achieved a number of pioneering “firsts”.

So now, following a very successful business career, I’ve decided it’s time for me to apply my experience, my creativity, and my energy to the promotion of what is most important to me, the ideals of the Conservative Party of Canada.

Which is why I’m standing here before you this evening.

I’m certainly not a career politician.

The reason I’ve supported the Conservative Party for all these years is not because my parents were Conservatives … and not because my friends were Conservatives … for me this is not a social club.

I joined the Conservative Party because the ideals our Party represents, and the “Founding Principles” we so carefully crafted are very important to me.

These are noble ideals, and these are great Founding Principles … and I want to ensure our message is heard loud and clear, by all Canadians.

It takes much more than one individual to make great things happen.

In 1996 it was three of us that founded AIMS – The Association of Internet Marketing and Sales … an association that has grown to include over 7,000 individuals.

The work I’ve done on numerous volunteer boards … including the Cornell Rate Payers Board of Directors … has taught me that it takes a team of dedicated people working cooperatively to reach a common goal, and build a better community.

I’ve spent my professional career leading … leading project teams, divisions, and entire companies. The candidate we chose tonight must be inclusive … not divisive … and will need to inspire … and lead by example.

A number of years ago I made a decision to “raise my hand” and I offered to help the Oak Ridges-Markham campaign team in any way I could.

I was handed a clipboard and a pile of canvassing sheets and I was asked to go out and knock on doors.

That was my first taste of politics, and I have to say it tasted pretty good.

I could see that people actually appreciated the effort, and they responded to the fact we were connecting with them. In other words, I was making a difference.

Over the past two federal election campaigns … I’m the only candidate who was working … in the trenches … with you, in Oak Ridges-Markham!

I’ve knocked on literally thousands of doors in this riding.

On my own time I’ve helped organize events … prepare literature … put up signs

I’m NOT a fair-weather Tory … I even stood in the rain on election day waving at cars.

This direct contact with our constituents has made me realize that getting out and doing something can make a difference.

You can sit at home and complain all you want in front of the TV, but that is not going to bring about change.

I also realized while knocking on doors … that this riding is increasingly winnable.

As the opposition parties have faltered our Party has been getting stronger
… and momentum is building in our favour.

Over the past year Canadians have been seeing how an accountable and honest government can deliver meaningful results … and do it with integrity.

Stephen Harper’s Conservatives have been getting things done … delivering renewed hope for all.

For families … for new Canadians … for people young and old.

Our economy is stronger, our streets are safer, our military is better equipped.

Working families are enjoying the benefits of lower taxes and greater choice in child care.

Isn’t it great to finally have someone in Ottawa that’s concerned about the problems of this region? Unlike our current Liberal MP.

As your MP in Ottawa I will make sure all of our voices are heard … and I will fight to ensure we get our share of funding … funding for healthcare … law enforcement … and for infrastructure.

I will work cooperatively with other levels of government, to cut through bureaucratic red tape and get things moving!

Here in the riding of Oak Ridges-Markham there is reason for optimism.
… Optimism, but certainly not complacency.

In the last election we made significant progress, holding on to strong support in King Township and Oak Ridges, and picking up increased support in Whitchurch-Stouffville.

The only area that hasn’t yet come our way is here in Markham.

Markham will be key in the next election as well.

We’ve come to understand that we won’t win this riding without a strong showing in Markham – and we will not have a strong showing in Markham without a candidate with strong ties to this community.

Ladies and gentlemen … that candidate is me.

Someone who relies on backroom connections will not win us the next election!

The person we need must have street smarts and real-life experience!

To win this riding we all must connect with each and every constituent.

By getting out and knocking on doors and attending events in the community … we will physically connect with them.

By making use of a full range of communication vehicles, including the web and email …we will technologically connect with them.

And by being true to our values … and by communicating our principles with a clear voice … we will connect with their hearts and minds!

The ballot question tonight, ladies and gentlemen, is simple.

Which of the three candidates before you will most effectively connect with Oak Ridges-Markham?

Just over a year ago the rest of Canada elected a new Conservative Government … and now it’s our turn

… it’s our turn to WIN in Oak Ridges-Markham!

To achieve that victory I will need your vote tonight.

Thank you.