A Message to the Conservative Party and All Canadians:
Democracy starts from within each party. If you violate that foundational principle, you lose the trust of the people, and you can’t be trusted to uphold democracy at the federal level.
I was president of the Conservative Association, worked tirelessly to raise funds and keep us afloat for the election, and put my name forward as a candidate. Nineteen months of effort—updating nomination papers as boundaries shifted—only for my application to sit unopened.
On March 23, 2025, at noon, the election was called. One hour later, I got an email introducing Waseem Botros—a parachuted candidate, posing with Pierre Poilievre. The loser of the Conservative National Council contest and Kitchener-Conestoga race. No courtesy call, not even five minutes’ notice, for two years of active contribution and waiting. I got a call an hour later, which I didn’t need to pick up.
I saved the association from being dissolved by Elections Canada, secured election funding, and poured two years into this. But Waseem found a friend in Ottawa, and poof—my work was erased. I wasn’t alone; 90+ other candidates got sidelined at the eleventh hour too. The Conservative Party had two years to process 224 nominations [343 ridings minus 119 MPs], all under their control, yet they couldn’t. This is the party claiming it has what it takes to run Canada in these dire times?
Here’s what happened: the Conservatives got drunk on supermajority dreams. They grew arrogant, mocked reporters, barred media from traveling with them, and basked in poll numbers. Then Trump swept in, Trudeau kissed the ring, bent the knee, prorogued Parliament, and bailed. Carney stepped up as PM, and the Conservatives—hungover from their hubris—couldn’t pivot fast enough.
Forget left vs. right for a sec. Canada faces real external threats, but the internal danger is worse. We need good government, or we’ll pay dearly. If Carney brings back Justin’s crew, his “smart” ideas—once slowed by an incompetent Trudeau—will wreak havoc unchecked.
My plea to Canadians of all stripes: vote Conservative, not because they’re perfect, or they have earned it, but because the Liberals’ 10-year track record guarantees decline. Conservatives at least have a shot at being less destructive, offering a chance for recovery.
You might ask, “Val, why run independent in Waterloo then? Why not back Waseem?” some two years ago, he called me about Kitchener-Conestoga. I teased, “Why not Waterloo?” He said it’s too hard to win. He’s already checked out. I’ve got the drive to win Waterloo, but he stole my team at the last second.
Still, I’m taking on Hon. Bardish Chagger—or I’ll die trying. If I win, I’ll fight for policies that save Canada and push against those that don’t. Some say I’ve earned it.
To the young folks: You are the future.
You have every right to challenge the status quo and shake things up in the name of `progress`. As someone who’s been around a while, I’ve earned the instinct to protect and `conserve` what we’ve built—for the sake of stability.
Let’s see it as balance. Let’s meet in the middle.
Vote smart.
See you at the polls.
Locally Yours,
Val Neekman