Brister out in Essex, takes shots at Monte McNaughton

Dave Brister, former PC candidate for Essex. Photo Twitter

By Greg Holden

Dave Brister is now the former candidate in Essex for the provincial progressive conservatives in the by-election that takes place on February 13.

In a series of twitter messages Brister explained his ouster comes because he would not support the PC’s right to work legislation. Right to work is a policy that critics describe as union busting legislation and allows workers to remain in a union without paying dues.

Monte McNaughton, the Tory labour critic, has supported the proposed legislation. After Brister was removed from the party he accused McNaughton of having a behind the scenes campaign to topple PC leader Tim Hudak. Brister also claims that the proposed right to work law will, ”dog McNaughton to the end.”

In explaining why he is no longer the PC candidate for Essex, Brister said, “I was informed earlier this afternoon that PC HQ prefers followers to leaders and that I am no longer the PC candidate in Essex. I was asked to recant my opposition to (right to work) legislation in exchange for retaining my position and I refused to do so.”