More work to be done on same goals: Atlantic MPs

Reinforcing the core goals the Liberals ran on in 2015 will be a key part of holding Atlantic seats in next year's federal election, according to two regional MPs.

"We're not running on a change mandate, we're running on a keep on doing mandate," Halifax representative Andy Fillmore told The House.

The Liberals won all 32 seats in the region in the last election, in many cases stealing ridings long held by the Conservatives and the NDP.

Holding those seats could prove a challenge, but it's one Karen Ludwig, a New Brunswick MP, says she's ready for.

"I never let up," she told host Chris Hall, explaining her party needs to continue focusing on rural and remote areas of the country where support hasn't typically been as strong.

Pushing successful platform promises into the spotlight will also be a key to victory in 2019, she said.

"We need to get on top of our own messaging."

For the most part, the core promises will look similar — but that doesn't mean the party is sitting back, Fillmore added.

"We're not going to veer off of the core principles and the core platform that we ran on in 2015… But we are here to hear new ideas," he said.

"We're not taking anything for granted."

Liberal MPs aren't the only ones watching the policy refinement in Halifax this weekend.

Lisa Raitt, deputy Conservative leader, explained she was surprised to see so many policy resolutions that included hefty price tags. 

The Liberal vulnerability, she added, is that they haven't figured out how to cut back spending and Canadians are beginning to notice. 

"There's a different vibe out there in the country," she said.

NDP MP Nathan Cullen agreed, saying you have to think of what voters will want 18 months down the road.

Right now, he said, people will be asking if the government is competent and able to keep commitments.