Sorting out the Conservative leadership race
OAKVILLE, ONT. —In just a few days we’ll get the exciting news as to who will be the next leader of Canada’s Conservative Party. And that news will … wait, hang on a second; I just noticed that I used the words “exciting” and “Conservative” in the same sentence, which I’m sure must violate some […]
Axworthy to head World Refugee Council
Former Liberal cabinet minister Lloyd Axworthy has been tapped to lead the World Refugee Council, a group that will be tasked with finding new ways to deal with the world refugee crisis. Mr. Axworthy will be chair of this organization, which has been created by the Waterloo, Ont.-based Centre for International Governance Innovation and is […]
Conservative caucus support for leadership contenders
MPs Name Constituency Support for leader Ziad Aboultaif Edmonton Manning, Alta. Andrew Scheer Dan Albas Central Okanagan- Similkameen-Nicola, B.C. Maxime Bernier Harold Albrecht Kitchener-Conestoga, Ont. Erin O’Toole Dean Allison Niagara West, Ont. Lisa Raitt Rona Ambrose Sturgeon River-Parkland, Alta. Neutral (interim leader) David Anderson Cypress Hill-Grasslands, Sask. Andrew Scheer Mel Arnold North Okanagan-Shuswap, B.C. Erin […]
Liberals up five points since April, Conservatives down slightly: public opinion poll
OTTAWA—The federal Liberals widened their lead over the opposition Conservatives to 16 percentage points as of last week, winning the support of 43 per cent of those who participated in an online poll and were not undecided. Twenty-seven per cent said they would vote Conservative if an election were held the next day, while 19 […]
Old-style conservatism on the way out
OTTAWA—Sprinkled through the policies espoused by Conservative leadership candidates are the odd laughable or alarming proposition. Like Kellie Leitch’s plan to legalize pepper spray, or Andrew Scheer’s suggestion that urban bureaucrats are plotting to take away farmers’ gun rights. Or Maxime Bernier’s plan to remove Ottawa from the national health care picture while allowing greater […]
Five lessons the next Conservative leader ought to learn from Rona Ambrose
OTTAWA—Rona Ambrose’s tenure as interim leader of the official opposition and leader of the Conservative Party is ending this week. Most would give her solid marks for her performance guiding the Conservatives after the 2015 election loss. There are a few lessons that Ambrose’s tenure provides that ought to be heeded by whoever comes along […]
‘Don’t be selfish,’ O’Leary says Conservative caucus members told him
Former Conservative leadership contestant and business tycoon Kevin O’Leary said he had to put aside his ego for the greater good of the party. He told The Hill Times in a May 16 interview alongside the candidate he’s now supporting, Maxime Bernier (Beauce, Que.), that some members of the Conservative caucus, “who will remain nameless,” gave […]
Ambrose leaves Conservative Party on a high note, brought party together after 2015 defeat and leaves it in good financial shape, say Conservatives
CHATEAU LAURIER HOTEL, OTTAWA—Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose, who announced Tuesday morning that she will resign her seat in the House before it breaks in June for the summer, is exiting on a high note and leaving the party in good financial shape for the next leader, say Conservatives. “As my time comes to an end I think it’s […]
From no-name policy wonk to leader of the Official Opposition: Rona Ambrose on her 13-year career in Ottawa
From no-name policy wonk to leader of the Official Opposition, Rona Ambrose has had an impressive 13 years in Ottawa. She became the youngest female member of Cabinet in 2006 at the age of 36, and says she had the most portfolios of anyone in the Harper-era government. In a summer 2016 interview, the Conservative […]
Conservative MP Lukiwski out of action after mini-stroke
If you’re wondering why you haven’t seen Conservative MP Tom Lukiwski on the Hill lately, it’s because he had a mild stroke last month and hasn’t been cleared to return to work yet. The federal legislator for Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan, Sask., has been at home for the last few weeks, but he told The Hill Times he […]
