Monica Barley launches Progressive Conservative leadership bid

Moncton lawyer Monica Barley has launched her candidacy for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative party of New Brunswick, telling members she can build support in parts of the province where the PCs are weak.

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About 200 Tories attended her kick-off in Moncton. Most were from southeast New Brunswick, with a scattering of members from other areas.

"We can do great things if we work together," the 38-year-old bilingual lawyer told them. "We can't afford to be divided between regions, and languages, and politics. We can only grow by working together."

It's a theme other Tories have invoked, but Barley is particularly able to use it as an asset: given her roots in the Liberal bastion of Kent County, her supporters say she can make the party competitive again in francophone regions where the PCs were all but wiped out in the last election.

She's bringing new life into the party.- Albert MLA Brian Kierstead

"She can go anywhere in New Brunswick and she can be understood, and she can understand," said former cabinet minister Claude Williams, comparing her to former premier Bernard Lord.

"She can go to Lameque and understand the culture, understand the people and their language, and the same day can go to St. George or St. Stephen and the same will apply."

Next leader needs to be bilingual

Barley told reporters rebuilding the party in francophone areas, where PCselected only one MLA in 2014, will be a priority.

She also said she believes the next leader of the party should be bilingual.

Unlike her rivals, Barley has no political experience. Her biography says she has worked as a federal prosecutor, chaired a provincial consumer-protection tribunal, and was president of a Moncton women's shelter and vice-president of Downtown Moncton Inc. She's now a partner in a Moncton law firm.

"She's extremely formidable and competent and she's bringing new life into the party," said Albert MLA Brian Kierstead, who hasn't decided whether to endorse her.

Few specifics

Barley was mostly cautious in her speech and in her exchange with reporters, offering familiar promises about making tough decisions and improving education, but with few specifics.

She said the PCs need "a leader who is prepared to do things that have never been done before," but she wouldn't tell reporters what things she had in mind. "No details today, no."

She also avoided the question of duality in school busing, a practice that some PC MLAs have questioned as too expensive.

The Gallant government has asked the New Brunswick Court of Appeal to rule on whether the dual system is constitutionally required.

"I think it's best to wait and see what the courts say on that and then decide whether we agree with that or not," she said.

But on abortion, another polarizing issue, Barley was definitive. She said she would not restore the so-called two-doctor rule that used to restrict access to hospital abortions until the Liberals repealed it.

"It's a very sensitive issue between a woman and her physician," she said. "We are not going to go back in time if I become leader."

She even said "there's probably progress that can be made" on further improving access to the procedure.

Barbara Baird's footsteps

If Barley wins, she'll become the second woman to lead the PC party after Barbara Baird, who held the post from 1989 to 1991 but never contested an election.

Barleysaid she wasn't sure if she would be able to attract more women to vote PC, but she said she hopes winning the leadership will help the party recruit other female candidates.

"If I can capitalize on the fact that I'm a woman to encourage other women to take part, I will do it."

Long-time PC supporter Judy McCagherty said she believes a woman leader would attract women voters to the party. "It certainly has been in a couple of other provinces. Take Ontario and Alberta. Why not?"

The other declared candidates are PC MLAs Brian Macdonald and Blaine Higgs. Saint John Mayor Mel Norton, former MP Mike Allen, and MLA Jake Stewart have all said they're considering running.

The PCs will pick their new leader in a vote by all members in October.

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