With the municipal elections behind us, the next big political challenge facing the communities of Dufferin-Caledon is the Progressive Conservative Nomination Convention on January 13th at the Orangeville Agricultural Centre.

Earlier this fall, PC Provincial Party Leader John Tory announced that he will be seeking a seat in the Don Valley West riding, where he will lead the party in the fall '07 provincial election. To date five candidates, including myself, have lined up to fill Tory's position for the riding of Dufferin-Caledon.

This decision carries a huge responsibility and significant importance for the communities within this region. During the last 50 years, this riding (with a few blips), has consistently returned a PC member to Queens Park.

As a former Town of Caledon Ward I Councilor for the last three years, I learned first-hand the power and influence of Queens Park, where a huge percentage of the dollars, planning and regulatory decisions are made which guide our communities.

A group of committed residents will make the decision, at the January Nomination Convention, to send a representative of the 100,000 plus residents of Dufferin-Caledon to Queens Park.

I urge residents of this constituency to join the Provincial PC party before the deadline of December 20th. To be eligible you must live in the riding, be 14 years of age or older and pay a nominal PC party membership fee of $10.00. With your membership and attendance at the Nomination Convention on January 13, you can influence who represents this riding at Queens Park and going into the provincial elections on October 4th, 2007.

It's simple. Visit any one of the candidate's websites for more information on how to get involved and become a member.

Best of the season to all, and I hope to see many Dufferin Caledon residents at the January 13 Nomination Convention.

James Wallace www.jameswallacecampaign.

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