Creemore area residents who do not feel they are well represented by MP Kellie Leitch are putting up #notmymp lawn signs.
The grassroots movement is fueled by Leitch’s post-US election praise of president-elect Donald Trump and her previously pitched Canadian values screening of immigrants.
“After the election, I was so despondent. I thought, I want to do something,” said Creemore resident Cecily Ross.
She took to social media, reaching out to people who were equally disheartened by the election result and the ensuing response of Simcoe-Grey MP and Conservative Party leadership candidate Kellie Leitch.
The day after the election Leitch sent an e-mail to supporters saying his was an exciting message, one that needs delivering in Canada.
On Nov. 10 Ross posted to Facebook, “All day I have been trying to figure out what I/we can do in the face of this disastrous US election result. Here is what I propose: a “Stop Kellie Leitch” movement. #stopkellieleitch. I live in her riding, a riding that a few years ago stopped one of the largest limestone quarries ever proposed in this country. If we can do that, surely we can stop this woman and her poisonous ideas from gaining any traction. If 11/9 has taught us anything it’s the folly of thinking it can’t happen here.”
Ross didn’t get much pick up on the hashtag, although another Facebook group of the same name is gaining momentum. At the same time, when an e-mail group started planning to print lawn signs with the #notmymp message, Ross put in her order.
The #notmymp message echoes the #notmypresident campaign south of the border.
“It says that she doesn’t represent me,” said Ross adding it’s a way of repudiating what she sees as Leitch’s cynical and opportunistic messaging.
“She’s tapping into identity politics in an attempt to further her own ambitions and I hope the constituents of Simcoe-Grey will see that. She was parachuted in by Harper and not long after, he was soundly rejected,” said Ross. “We want to stand up and say that we don’t like it.”
Especially after Leitch started talking about Trump values and throwing out the elites, said Ross. “Those are trigger words that have come to mean many things to many people.”
“This is a small community and these things can be very divisive,” she said.
Ross is expecting the campaign won’t end with the lawn signs. She said there is a desire to put together a non-partisan group that would reach across different groups and start a discussion about Canadian values, what are they and do they need protecting? What is the threat and why now?” Is it a solution to a non-existent problem?
“The country is made up of differing values and opinions and we have accommodated that for 150 years,” said Ross.
The Echo contacted Leitch for comment on the sign campaign. She replied, “The great thing about a country built on the values of freedom and tolerance is that people can express their political views freely. That’s why I’m running for leader — to defend those values.”
Lawn signs will be available for $10 at Avening Hall this Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
