Local Liberals cheer Mark Carney result

While the votes were being counted Sunday afternoon in Ottawa to determine the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada – and the country’s new Prime Minister – local Liberals held a party of their own.

About 100 faithful gathered in the CASO station to await the outcome.

David Goodwin, former president of the local federal Liberal riding association said he feels a rebirth of the party locally.

Yeah. So, when I look at Mark Carney, what Mark Carney has said in the last three weeks really resonated with me.

He feels change is in the air.

Goodwin suggests the party is experiencing a rejuvenation, as witness by the energy around last weekend’s leadership convention in Ottawa.

The overwhelming support for Mark Carney is a game-changer both nationally and here in Elgin-St. Thomas-London South riding, noted Goodwin.

With a federal election likely on the horizon, Goodwin advises this is a critical time in the history of Canada.

“I think this is the most important election of my lifetime. When I look back, I remember the 1988 election, the free trade, and there was a lot of nervous tension. What’s going to happen with Canada? Are we going to be absorbed? That didn’t quite happen. But today, with the rhetoric of Trump, this is a serious time on our sovereignty. It’s totally unpredictable.”

Last week Goodwin – the vice-chair and treasurer of the Elgin-St. Thomas-London South riding association – was selected as the Liberal candidate for the riding in the next federal election.

myFM will present a profile on Goodwin later this week.

Written by Ian McCallum