The two candidates vying to lead the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba fielded questions about parental rights, transgender support and increasing diversity in the party Wednesday night.
More than 120 people gathered at a downtown hotel at a question-and-answer session involving Obby Khan and Wally Daudrich. Both men aim to be the PC’s next leader; former premier Heather Stefanson vacated the role earlier this year after the party lost power in October 2023.
While on stage, Khan was asked by an audience member where he stands on parental rights. He became the first Muslim elected to the Manitoba legislature, in a byelection in Fort Whyte two years ago, and was named to cabinet by Stefanson.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba leadership candidates Wally Daudrich (left) and Obby Khan at a question-and-answer session at the Delta Hotel on Wednesday.
During the PC re-election campaign, Khan’s face appeared on billboards promoting parental rights, a controversial topic many have linked to an anti-LGBTTQ+ movement.
“It’s an important conversation to have,” Khan replied Wednesday. “I love my son more than anything. Every parent can say that.
“But we also know there are some parents out there that maybe aren’t the best parents. What’s the system for that? What’s the policy for that?”
Khan said his party didn’t make negative comments about any community during the parental rights campaign. He said he wants to discuss the Education Act, which hasn’t been updated in 30 years.
“We need to be able to — as government, as leaders — develop a system that protects everyone under all circumstances,” he later told reporters. “We need to have that conversation. The NDP refuse to have it.”
Khan was also asked about his views on a bill that celebrates transgender visibility. Khan noted International Transgender Day of Visibility is recognized nationally. He’s supportive of the day, he told reporters, adding he’s been bullied and ostracized as a member of a minority.
Daudrich, who owns several businesses in Churchill and is a former PC board member, called himself pro-life. “Grassroots” people in the PC party will make decisions on issues from fiscal to social under his leadership, he said.
Daudrich told the crowd the PC party has “mishandled some things.”
“It’s time to say sorry,” he continued. “A lot of people are mad because we didn’t listen to them. We need to go back to the grassroots.”
An Oct. 22 Western Standard article quoted Daudrich as saying the PCs need to “throw the garbage out.” On Wednesday, Daudrich readjusted by saying cleaning house means maybe “pulling out a few bags.”
Both Daudrich, who’s in his 60s, and Khan, 44, highlighted their experience as children of immigrants.
Daudrich said he was raised to work hard and be frugal, which he said aligns with Conservative principles.
As leader, Daudrich would consider reducing government positions through “attrition.”
“We need to bring it down to where the average is (with other provinces),” he said, adding the government needs more money to pay for health care, infrastructure and justice.
A family member of his went “south of the U.S. line” for health care, he said.
The party he leads would be cheap with the taxpayers’ money, Daudrich continued.
He emphasized his business acumen by saying he’s built a multimillion-dollar business, Lazy Bear Expeditions, that attracts people from around the world and has increased sales by 50 per cent since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Khan has also started a number of businesses, including Shawarma Khan and GoodLocal. He’s well-known for playing football in the Canadian Football League for nine seasons, including as a Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive lineman.
Former interim PC leader Kelvin Goertzen is Khan’s campaign co-chair. The candidate plans on hosting town halls and discussions in rural Manitoba.
“We need to rebuild our trust with members and Manitobans,” Khan said. “I’m committed to doing that.”
He’s ready to make the “tent” of PC supporters bigger and more diverse, which includes improving messaging, he continued.
The party will choose its leader on April 26, 2025.
Gabrielle Piché
Reporter
Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle.
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