The new Conservative Party of Canada candidate for the Bay of Quinte Riding says he intends to stay on as a Belleville councillor for the time being.
Ryan Williams spoke on CJBQ’s Lorne Brooker Show on Monday, following his weekend nomination win over Shelby Kramp-Neumann.
Williams says he’s committed to working for the people of Belleville at least until a federal election is called.
“We don’t know if that will happen, maybe we think in the spring, but it could be two years from now. We’re not quite sure. I’ve been elected by the people of Belleville and I commit to keep working for the people of Belleville until that time comes. So, I’ll continue my role as councillor and continue to keep working for the people.”
He added that his federal political affiliation doesn’t matter when it comes to dealing with the needs of city residents moving forward and he’s shown that over his two years at City Hall.
“I represent a constituent base of Ward 1, which is most of Belleville. But I don’t even think of it as Ward 1. I make decisions based on all of Belleville and you never do that partisanly. You put debate out and everything you do is because it’s the best choice in your mind for what the people that put me here want and say.”
And Williams says when it does come to the next election and running against the current Liberal incumbent, he has a lot of respect for Liberal incumbent Neil Ellis, who has held the job since the 2015 federal election.
“I’ll have some fresh ideas, some fresh energy and I expect it to be a very tough race. We’re just going to give all we can and really, I’m hoping this race will be about the ideas and the issues. I expect us to have a really good election coming up, whenever that may be.”
Williams added that he’s predicting a spring or summer election, assuming the pandemic conditions improve, but that’s not set in stone.
He tells Quinte News that once the writ drops, he will likely take a leave of absence from council, rather than resigning before the campaign is over.
