FALL RIVER: A young Fall River man with political aspirations has been acclaimed as the new president of the N.S. Youth Progressive Conservatives.
Daniel MacKenzie, a graduate of Lockview High School and who is heavily involved in coaching basketball at his former school, announced in early February he would seek the president role for the PC Party’s youth wing. He was uncontested, and learned Feb. 8 he was acclaimed for the position.
He’s exciting about the task that lies ahead of him in getting more young people engaged.
“I wanted to get more involved and people have been reaching out to me since I had announced my intention to run,” said MacKenzie.
MacKenzie is bringing his leadership; organizational; and communication skills to the role. He admitted when he was younger, he didn’t think of himself as a Conservative.
“I will be making sure everyone is on the same page,” he said. “I have already spoke to people who will be on the board with me. We want to be strong. We want to be vocal, and more out there than we have in the past.”
He said he’s hitting the street running in speaking to youth PC members across the province, from Yarmouth to Amherst to Meat Cove.
“It’s politics, so we’re going to have to be fundraising right from the get go,” he said. “It’s going to be an uphill battle, but we’re looking forward to it.”
Could this role lead to something further for him down the road? MacKenzie was coy, but didn’t say no to running as PC MLA in the future.
“Possibly, possibly I’m not closing the door on that,” said MacKenzie. “It’s not all the way open, but it’s halfway op-en/halfway closed.”
MacKenzie admits he’s getting into the position at interesting times.
“With everything that’s going on from the teachers that happened last December; to the general election last May; to the leadership race,” he said. “It’s an exciting time in the PC Party that’s for sure.”
