Truro Dr. acclaimed for Cumberland-col.

TRURO– And then there was one.

Truro’s Dr. Stephen Ellis has been acclaimed as the Conservative candidate for the riding of Cumberland-colchester in the upcoming federal election after his one remaining contender withdrew from the nomination race.

David Phillips, also of Truro, announced his decision in a Facebook last week citing personal reasons and describing it as a “hugely difficult decision…”.

Ellis acknowledged his acclamation in an emailed response for comment to the Truro News and said he and his campaign team will be ready whenever the federal election is called.

“There is a desire for change. People realize we need a new MP locally, and a new government nationally to bring about the change we need,” he said.

Liberal Lenore Zann is the current MP in Cumberlandcolchester.

Ellis, a well-known and respected family physician of 22 years, said he decided to enter politics after becoming familiar with the issues faced by his patients and seeing first-hand how federal policies were failing to address the challenges they faced.

In addition to his physician duties, Ellis is the medical lead for COVID-19 in-patient response in Nova Scotia’s Northern Zone.

“In recent years, access to health services has deteriorated,” Ellis said, in his response. “At the same time, life has gotten more expensive; job opportunities remain scarce, and the government has spent your money recklessly. So, after a lot of consideration, I felt I needed to be part of the solution and to bring positive change to a community that has given so much to my family and myself.”

Phillips said in the post announcing his withdrawal that despite his “dream” to serve as an MP, his primary responsibility at this time is to his family.

“I sincerely believe that I would have made a positive difference in people’s lives,” Phillips said.

“But it has become increasingly clear to me that the campaign, and indeed the role of MP, should I have won, would keep me away from my young family for much, if not most, of my time. At this critical moment in the lives of my children, I have concluded that my most important role is to be their dad, at home and in their world every day.”

A third candidate, Tom Taggart of Bass River, had previously withdrawn his name following a policy convention vote in March during which the federal Conservatives rejected a resolution to officially recognize climate change.

Taggart announced this week that he now will be seeking the nomination to run for the Progressive Conservatives in the provincial riding of Colchester North.

Current Liberal MLA Karen Casey previously announced she will not be running in the next provincial election.