Kingston city councillor named as federal Conservative Party candidate

The Conservative Party of Canada has chosen its candidate for Kingston and the Islands, and it’s a familiar face to those in the city of Kingston.

According to the Conservative Riding Association’s president Gordon Ohlke, Coun. Gary Oosterhof, who currently represents Kingston’ Countryside District, will run in the current federal election.

Despite the election being called Sunday, the Conservatives had no candidate in the riding until Tuesday, when Oosterhof was officially appointed.

Ohlke he says was not the first the seek nomination for the riding.

“We had people come forward who had an idea about politics, and when they looked at it, they realized it just didn’t (work). Having started in the process of realizing what it actually would entail to campaign, they withdrew,” Ohlke said

He also said that there were some candidates who put their name forward, but were rejected through the party’s vetting system.

Now, Ohlke says that he thinks the party has a strong candidate in Oosterhof.

1:25 Some people in Kingston react to heading to the polls

Global News reached Oosterhof Tuesday evening for comment.

“It’s going to be a challenge and I respect all my opponents very, very much. I’m going to give it all I have, my experience is there and the opportunity to serve is there and I know I can do it. And I know I’ll be listening really well to the people — I’ve done that five years for the rural area — and no one has to tell me that I’ve done a good job. I know I’ve done a good job and I can do better and I can also do the same thing on the federal level and put my effort to it and I will.”

According to Kingston city council’s website, Oosterhof ran an electrical contracting business in Kingston for more than 25 years.

He currently serves on the Ontario board of directors of the Electrical Safety Authority of Ontario, and is a long-time member and current president of the Kingston Electrical Association.

He is running against Liberal incumbent Mark Gerretsen, NDP newcomer Vic Sahai and Green Party candidate Dr. Waji Khan. The PPC has not announced a local candidate as of yet.