Former Blue Bomber Obby Khan looking to bring change with PCs in Fort Whyte by-election
Former Blue Bomber Obby Khan is looking to bring change with the Progressive Conservative Party in the Fort Whyte by-election.
Khan is the PC candidate in the Fort Whyte by-election set for Mar. 22, 2022.
The second Khan touched down in Winnipeg, he said he fell in love with the city.
“From the first day I got here, off the tarmac, down the old airport escalator, people had signs welcome home, we love you Obby and they hadn’t even met me,” said Khan.
A product of Ottawa, Ont., Khan played CFL football, most notably for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. After retiring from the game, Khan settled in Winnipeg permanently, opening multiple restaurants and donating time to local charities.
“I’m asking people to look at the body of everything I’ve done and I think that’s what sets me apart from the other candidates,” said Khan.
Khan said with his playing career over, and his businesses up and running, it was time for him to enter politics. He is focused on fixing health care, economic recovery for businesses, and seniors care.
“This is where I’m at in my life, I want to do good,” said Khan. “I want to do right by the people, let’s take that jump into politics.”
He is not the only high-profile name or even football player running in Fort Whyte. Former Blue Bomber Willard Reaves is the Liberal candidate. The NDP has former WSO Executive Director Trudy Schroeder. Nicolas Geddert is representing the Green Party, and Patrick Allard is running as an independent.
Despite the other names in the contest, Chris Adams, adjunct professor of political studies, said Khan is the front-runner. Adams said his business background in a strong blue constituency that Brian Pallister won with more than 50 percent of the vote makes Khan a favourite.
“It’s what I would consider the safest riding for the PCs, maybe with the exception of Tuxedo, the safest riding in Winnipeg,” said Adams.
Front-runner or not, the candidate said he is acting like an underdog.
“I’m working as if I’m 100 – as if I’m 1,000 ballots behind,” said Khan.
His party may very well be behind with a general election coming next year. The Tories have been down in the opinion polls, in part over how it and its leader Premier Heather Stefanson has handled the COVID-19 crisis.
Khan said all governments have struggled during the pandemic.
“We have 18 months to turn things around, it’s a pandemic, it’s tough, everyone is done with the pandemic, I’m done with the pandemic, we want to get through this,” said Khan.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, allowing states to ban abortions
The U.S. Supreme Court has ended the nation's constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years in a decision by its conservative majority to overturn Roe v. Wade. Friday's outcome is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states.

'Devastating setback': Trudeau, politicians react to overturning of Roe v. Wade
Canadian politicians are responding to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to end constitutional protections for abortion, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling the news 'horrific.'
Roe v. Wade abortion ruling raising alarms among Canadian advocates
Canadian advocates are cautioning against complacency regarding abortions protections in place in Canada, after the U.S. Supreme court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday.
Roe v. Wade: These U.S. states are likely to ban abortion
With the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end constitutional protections for abortion, 26 states are likely to ban abortions; 13 of which are expected to enact bans against the medical procedure immediately.
'It feels so good': Alberta MP celebrates overturning of Roe v. Wade
A Member of Parliament from rural Alberta went live on Facebook Friday to celebrate a United States Supreme Court vote to end constitutional protections for abortion.
Two dead, 14 wounded in Norway nightclub shooting, police say
Two people were killed and 14 wounded on Saturday in a shooting at a nightclub and in nearby streets in Norway's capital Oslo, Norwegian police said.
Mummified baby woolly mammoth discovered in Yukon 'most complete' find in North America: officials
Miners working in a gold field in Yukon have uncovered what is being called the 'most complete' mummified woolly mammoth found to date in North America, officials announced on Friday.
'So scary': Flying shovel misses Mississauga driver by just centimetres
An Ontario driver is speaking out after a shovel struck her windshield while she was driving on the highway.
This is who's in and who's out of Doug Ford's cabinet
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has unveiled his cabinet for the 43rd Parliament and there are some big changes to the front bench.