![['<p>Whitney Pier native Lisa Raitt made Sydney the first stop of her campaign to become the next leader of the federal Conservative party. Raitt, who sits as an Ontario-based MP, was welcomed by about 80 people, including family members, friends and some of the local party faithful, who gathered at Sydney’s Club 55 on Friday evening.</p>']](https://saltwire.imgix.net/raitt-3162789.png?cs=srgb&fit=crop&h=568&w=847&dpr=1&auto=compress%2Cformat%2Cenhance)
Lisa Raitt, who is originally from Cape Breton, will be visiting Summer Street Industries Saturday, April 29 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. for a meet and greet.
“She does have a number of supporters in the area, including myself, and we did want to host something so members and voters can make an informed decision,” said Tyler Cameron.
Following her visit to Pictou County, she will be making a stop in Port Hawkesbury. The event is open to the public and he expects Raitt to make a few remarks before mingling with the crowd.
Raitt is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University and earned her law degree from Osgoode Hall at Yorke University. She is currently MP for Milton, Ontario and has served as federal minister for natural resources, transport and following the 2015 federal election was finance critic for the opposition.
The Conservative Party has been without a full time leader following the 2015 federal election when the Liberal Party formed the majority under the leadership of Justin Trudeau. Stephen Harper stepped down as leader and Rona Ambrose has been serving in the role in an interim basis.
A new leader for the party will be elected on May 27 in Toronto.
