Neil Drabkin

By:Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

After a troubling first week of the new federal Liberal government with ministers angering many Canadians on the issues of housing, pipelines, the budget and the Gaza-Israel war, The Suburban heard from the two Conservative Neils of the past campaign who ran strong campaigns. They both reflected hope and optimism.

Neil Drabkin ran in NDG-Westmount and Neil Oberman ran in Mount Royal, both achieving impressive numbers against incumbents Anna Gainey and Anthony Housefather respectively.

“The strong numbers indicate that Montrealers are starting to come around,” Drabkin said. “Although we haven’t won a seat on the island of Montreal in 37 years, voters seeking change came out for us in large numbers this time due to the strong leadership of Pierre Poilievre. That bodes well for the future and our ability to make inroads in Montreal after all these years,” added Drabkin, who has had a long and rich history with the Conservative Party. A lawyer and former federal prosecutor Drabkin is well known to the community not only as a political commentator on CJAD 800, but also as someone who has served at the highest levels of government in the Brian Mulroney and Stephen Harper administrations including as Chief of Staff to Stockwell Day.

Barbara Kay, in the National Post, called Drabkin a “proven political commodity.” Rabbi Reuben Poupko of Côte St. Luc’s Beth Israel Beth Aaron Synagogue has said, “Our community is extremely proud of the contribution that Neil has made and to the extent to which he has always been there to assist.” Despite accepting to run at the request of the Party in what is considered to be one of the safest Liberal strongholds in the country, Drabkin tripled the Conservative vote to over 10,000 or some 20%, the highest in decades.

Oberman engaged in one of the most formidable campaigns in many years in Mount Royal, which has been a Liberal stronghold since 1940. The candidate, best known for protecting some 47 Jewish institutions with the injunctions he won against anti-Israel protesters, sought debates with Housefather and campaigned vigorously throughout the riding, which includes Côte St. Luc, Hampstead and Montreal West, gaining a historic 40% of the vote

Oberman says that his commitment “remains unwavering.Sometimes setbacks are tuition in the school of leadership,” he added. “I will persist in collaborating with all constituents, which includes approximately 41 percent of our riding who are actively seeking change. This desire for transformation is palpable and significant. Change is indeed on the horizon — however, it often comes with challenges and requires perseverance.”

Oberman added, “Simply put. The current liberal government is doing exactly what it promised. Nothing. So to all Canadians who voted for the liberals you got what you asked for. Now the question is will Canadians take back their country and stand up for change. Hopefully this government will be dispatched from Ottawa sooner than later. As for the young people I encourage you to keep advocating for your future just don’t expect the liberal baby boomers to help you. What can we do as Conservatives? Show Canadians that change is possible when we stop following old ways that yield no positive result. Your vote your voice your choice brings change.” n