Jody Sanderson has no problem taking on challenges.
That's a good thing because when the next federal election is called, the new Conservative Party candidate in Malpeque will likely be up against Liberal MP Wayne Easter, who has held the riding since 1993.
Sanderson will have his work cut out for himself, he said.
“At the end of the day, being an underdog is nothing that would ever concern me.”
About 400 members voted in the nomination process which saw Sanderson win the nomination on the weekend over Renée Pastoor.
It was a big turnout — party memberships are up about 50 per cent to over 600 members — due, in part, to the federal leadership of Erin O’Toole, said Mel Crane, the president of the Malpeque Electoral District Association, “and the fact that we had a well contested nomination here.
“Both Jody and Renee were recruiting members, and that makes a difference.”
First run
This is Sanderson’s first foray into politics, but it’s something he has considered for a long time, he said.
“When I moved back to P.E.I., this was something that was very much on my mind when I thought the time was right.”
O’Toole’s leadership of the Conservative Party was the catalyst that told him it was time, said Sanderson.
“I didn’t have to get involved, I wanted to, but I wanted to get on a team that I thought I could deliver a message that I think people want to hear and that I believe in.”
When asked if he agreed with all of O’Toole’s platform, like cutting funding to the CBC, Sanderson wouldn’t offer specifics.
“Not to be evasive, but there are things I don’t fully support and agree with ... but I don’t think there’s anyone who would look at any party or platform and say they agree with 100 per cent of what they’re proposing. And I’m no different looking at the Conservative platform.”
At a glance:
- Jody Sanderson, 48, grew up in P.E.I. on his family’s farm, Fulton Sanderson and Sons, in Cornwall before going to the University of New Brunswick.
- After graduating, he had a 22-year career in banking, which included senior posts in Canada, Asia and the Middle East.
- In 2019, he, his wife and two children moved back to P.E.I., where he co-founded Sanderson Capital with his wife.
- They live on York Point Road, where Sanderson is active in the community as a minor hockey coach and a member of the Cornwall Curling Club.
- He has also been a competitive triathlete for the past 20 years and has qualified for and competed in the Ironman World Championships multiple times.
Potential election
Since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shuffled his cabinet last month, speculation has been that an election could be called as early as the spring. Though he’s only just getting his legs under him, Sanderson said he would be ready.
“Well, I have to be, is the short answer ... the way I operate, we have to prepare for something that’s going to be soon, and we’ll be ready. And, if it’s not, that’s fine.”
Still, he thinks an election is needed.
“I do feel like an election at some point in the next three to six months (is important). I think the country will need it even if it’s not feeling like the right time.”
Easter said he isn’t so sure.
“The government has been there for people, and some of the political rhetoric coming from the conservative side is really quite over the top.”
As for when he expected to gear up for an election, Easter referenced the set election date of October 2023 but wouldn’t confirm if he plans to run again in Malpeque
“Trudeau has made it very clear he doesn’t want an election. Some of the other leaders have said that as well, so we’ll see. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Sanderson was mum on details about his own platform, instead deferring to party platforms as the differentiating factor between him and Easter. However, he said he wants to use his background in banking to help shape the future of the country financially.
“My focus will be on explaining to people what I can do and why I think it’s time for a different direction and I’m looking at this more as the direction of the party.”
By the numbers
Here are the results from the federal election in 2019 for the riding of Malpeque:
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Wayne Easter, Liberal: 9,533
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Anna Keenan, Green: 6,103
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Scott Stewart, Conservative: 5,899
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Craig Nash, NDP: 1,495
Michael Robar is The Guardian's national affairs reporter.
