Longtime Progressive Conservative party member and former leadership candidate Wally Daudrich has announced his departure from the Manitoba PC Party, stating he feels abandoned by the organization. Daudrich, who sought the party’s leadership last year and was recently barred from seeking a nomination, expressed his disillusionment in a letter to party leadership obtained on Saturday. He indicated that while he remains committed to the conservative movement, he believes the PC Party no longer represents his values or those of many like-minded conservatives.

Reasons for Departure

Daudrich’s decision follows an announcement earlier this month from the party executive that he would not be permitted to run for the nomination in the Turtle Mountain constituency. This development came despite incumbent Doyle Piwniuk’s decision not to seek re-election in the upcoming provincial vote, which must occur by October 5, 2027. The party cited alleged violations of its constitution and “repeated disparaging comments regarding current and former Progressive Conservative MLAs” as reasons for barring Daudrich.

However, Daudrich contends that the timing of the decision, made just eight days before the nomination vote and after he had reportedly sold four times as many party memberships as his sole rival, Mark Custance, was a key factor in his departure. Custance is a rural councillor in the Municipality of Two Borders.

“I just finished putting in six months of hard labour into Turtle Mountain, and I sold hundreds of memberships. And that was part of the reason why I left,” Daudrich stated on Monday. He also mentioned that he offered refunds to many of the members he signed up, who in turn encouraged him to run as an independent.

Daudrich’s Political Background and Vision

Daudrich, who owns a Churchill lodge and a home near the Turtle Mountain constituency, has been an active figure within the Manitoba PC Party for years. He has worked with every leader since former premier Gary Filmon, contributing to candidate recruitment, fundraising, and organizing efforts, particularly in northern Manitoba. His supporters suggest his socially conservative views resonate more with the party’s rural base than with the urban electorate, which current PC Leader Obby Khan has targeted.

During last year’s leadership race, Daudrich garnered more votes than Khan, though Khan ultimately won due to a weighted ballot system based on constituencies. Daudrich expressed a desire to see a political movement that prioritizes genuine conservative principles and servant leadership, contrasting it with what he perceives as self-absorbed and autocratic leadership within the current legislature.

“Ultimately my dream is to have a legitimate conservative candidate in each riding,” Daudrich remarked. “I want to see party leaders who serve their members rather than the autocrats that we presently have in the (legislature).” He believes the party has shifted too far to the left, leaving no space for what he terms “small-c conservatives.”

Party Response and Future Considerations

In response to Daudrich’s departure, Obby Khan, the current PC Leader, issued a statement acknowledging the difference in perspectives. “Progressive Conservatives have been working hard to provide Manitobans with real solutions and a pragmatic vision for the future of our province,” Khan stated. “We acknowledge and respect that Wally Daudrich has a differing outlook on conservatism in Manitoba. All healthy political landscapes have room for differences. We welcome any Manitoban to put forward their vision for our province.” Khan was unavailable for a direct interview on Monday.

Daudrich, who previously owned the former PC Party headquarters on Kennedy Street for his tourism business, metaphorically described his current situation as being “politically homeless — in my cardboard boxes and shopping cart.” He indicated that he plans to consult with his supporters to determine his next steps.

Exploring New Political Avenues

Daudrich has not ruled out future political endeavors, mentioning a recent conversation with Keystone Party leader Kevin Friesen. The Keystone Party, a right-leaning populist group with rural roots, attempted to attract disaffected PC voters in the 2023 provincial election without significant success. Daudrich expressed openness to cooperation, stating, “I’m not against co-operating with them, but we’ll see as something new coalesces. I’m sure that you’ll hear more about that.”

He emphasized the need for a new conservative movement, asserting that the PC Party has relinquished that responsibility. While not necessarily seeking a leadership role himself, Daudrich is committed to contributing to such a movement. “The goal is to get good, principled, servant-leadership-style-people that will take the reins of government away from the ineffectual, self-absorbed leadership that we see on both sides in the (legislature) right now,” he concluded.

Past Controversies

Daudrich gained some notoriety during the previous PC leadership race for a controversial remark suggesting the release of polar bears in Winnipeg to address homelessness. He had stated, “When there are serious repercussions for a bad lifestyle, people smarten up very quickly. So my plan is to import 10 polar bears and let them go in front of the (Manitoba legislature).” He later clarified this as a hypothetical statement intended to highlight the lack of consequences for certain behaviors.

His immediate focus, however, is on understanding the sentiment of his supporters and exploring potential avenues for a more ideologically aligned conservative political force in Manitoba.