Conservatives need to earn back trust of Atlantic Canadians: Ambrose

Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose is telling MPs and Senators gathering in Halifax they need to earn back the trust of Atlantic Canadians.

The party didn’t elect a single Conservative last year under the leadership of Stephen Harper.

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Ambrose says there is room to gain ground, as the Liberals in power haven’t been treating the region well.

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She criticized the federal government for naming an Ontario MP as minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

Ambrose also says Justin Trudeau is suggesting the east coast may lose its historic seat on the Supreme Court of Canada.

Lisa Raitt, MP for the Ontario riding of Milton, says her focus will be on boosting the economic fortunes of the region through job creation and stemming the loss of people to other parts of the country.

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Conservative MP Erin O’Toole — who also has ties to the East Coast through his time with the Canadian Forces — says the party has to let people know they’re aware of issues important to the region, like the economy and military.