Barrie-area Progressive Conservative MPPs are highlighting the participation of local party members who attended their provincial convention earlier this year.
Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte, and Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie–Innisfil, attended the Ontario PC convention, held Jan. 29 to Feb. 1, along with members of their riding and electoral district associations.
Downey, Ontario’s attorney general since 2019, said many delegates from his riding were first-time attendees and enthusiastic about the experience.
“They were really excited, especially that there was training, panels and a variety of different speakers,” he said.
Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte riding association member Byran Jones said he felt welcomed while attending his first political convention.
“Honestly, it was extremely welcoming — what I loved about the convention was how inclusive it was,” he said.
“Everyone talked about the same common goal — how to make our communities and our province better.”
Also attending her first political convention was Kristen Rohland, a member of Downey’s riding association, who was appointed regional director for Ontario north with the Ontario PC Women in Politics organization.
Rohland said she was inspired by a speech delivered by MPP Caroline Mulroney during the Ontario PC Women in Politics annual general meeting.
“I was very inspired by Caroline Mulroney’s speech, and the journey that got her from where she began in her political career at a young age to where she is now — it was amazing,” she said.
Rohland, who also works in Downey’s constituency office, said she felt honoured to take on her new volunteer role.
“I think the biggest motivator for me was being the only female on the riding’s executive team and realizing that there are so many conservative women out there, especially in the northern region,” she said.
Khanjin, Ontario’s minister of red tape reduction, said members from her Barrie–Innisfil riding association also found the convention meaningful, particularly those attending for the first time.
“They were really excited about the atmosphere, the energy and meeting other like-minded Progressive Conservatives from across the province,” she said.
“It really amplifies their involvement in how meaningful it is and just to be able to share stories from the campaigns, being involved in their communities and to really make a difference.”
Kat Chabot, who works in Khanjin’s constituency office and does volunteer work, said the convention left a strong impression.
“It was exciting and refreshing to attend and it makes you want to get more involved — Ontario is such a great province, and we all want it to continue to be prosperous,” she said.
The 2026 Ontario PC convention brought together party members, elected officials and volunteers from across the province for several days of training sessions, policy discussions, annual general meetings and speeches from senior party leaders.
Ontario PC Leader and Premier Doug Ford announced on the second day of the convention that he intends to lead the party into the next provincial election.
