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2018 Stampede Conservative barbecue sets attendance record

Big Valley resident attends
12650236_web1_sub-BigValley-Calgary
From left, Lorne Murfitt, Julie Franz and Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer. (Contributed photo)

Political activist Julie Franz, along with her partner Lorne Murfitt, drove two hours from Big Valley to Calgary to attend her first Stampede Conservative barbecue.

The huge Conservative fundraiser, priced at $150 - $250 per person, drew people mainly from Southern Alberta.

“I can’t believe what a big deal this is,” she said, about the many MPs and provincial MLAs in attendance.

The Calgary/Southern Alberta Conservative BBQ set a 14-year attendance record with 904 on Saturday evening, July 7 at Heritage Park. That figure broke the previous mark of 891, set in 2015.

Again this year, the Calgary-Heritage Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) hosted the event, led by MP Bob Benzen, who served as Master of Ceremonies.

MP Andrew Scheer (Regina-Qu’Appelle), leader of the Federal Conservatives, rallied the celebration tent crowd to demand a better brand of leadership than what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offers Canada. Scheer said the federal government interfered in the Kinder-Morgan pipeline expansion by purchasing the company, and then doing nothing further.

“This is the fundamental and unshakeable truth; government does not make a great country,” said Scheer. “It does not build or inspire. It does not achieve. That distinction belongs to you; the people.”

United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney received a standing ovation when he was introduced.

Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper held the Calgary-Heritage seat (earlier named Calgary-Southwest) for 14 years. Prior to Harper, Reform Party Leader Preston Manning held the seat.

- Contributed