Poilievre and Brown ‘playing with dynamite’ in divisive Conservative leadership election, say politicos
The division in the Conservative leadership campaign, already on display, will make it a serious challenge for the eventual winner to bring the party together after the contest is over, say political players. “It’s pretty clear that there’s kind of a progressive element to it, and then there’s a more Conservative element to it,” said […]
Let’s get ready to rumble, Conservative race turns into a street fight
OTTAWA—It’s not as if we don’t have enough going on to consume our attention, but the Conservative leadership race might just warrant carving out some cognitive space. I will leave the analysis about what it may mean to the experts and concentrate on the more entertaining element of what it will be, which is a […]
There’s a new force in Canadian politics on the right, and it’s growing fast
OTTAWA—Tamara Lich and Pat King, the key organizers of the protesters who occupied Ottawa, are more popular than Erin O’Toole and many Conservatives, and that’s why the Conservative Party has to play footsie with the protesters. There is a new force in Canadian politics on the right and it is growing fast. They helped with […]
Why political dilettantes have a path to power
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Globe and Mail columnist Andrew Coyne recently had blunt advice for federal Conservatives as they ponder choosing a new leader. He wrote: “Clown time is over. For much of the past decade, voters across the democratic world have indulged in the fantasy that they could elect, in essence, a bunch of clowns to lead […]
Climate policies could prove key ‘wedge’ in Conservative leadership race, say strategists
The race to determine the next Conservative Party leader could “hinge” on candidates’ climate policies, from carbon pricing and beyond, say strategists, with early front-runner Pierre Poilievre already on the anti-carbon tax offensive. “Climate change policy is going to be a bit of a litmus test … it’s important to voters to see the Conservative […]
Bruce Carson remembered by friends; Marc Roy joins Sandstone; Dale Eisler writes a book; and Kate Purchase has a baby
Bruce Carson, a former top aide and senior adviser to former prime minister Stephen Harper, died on March 5, at the age of 76 after months of deterioration due to cancer. The Ottawa-born native grew up in the Old Ottawa East neighbourhood, just steps from the Rideau Canal, and had a deep passion for skating and […]
New Tory leader needs to prioritize GTA region in next election to win, say former Conservative candidates
If the Conservatives want to form government after the next federal election, they will have to treat the 57 GTA ridings as a priority, and not as a “lost cause” like they did in recent general elections, says a group of influential GTA Conservative candidates from 2021. “The GTA candidates of record from the 2021 […]
Charest campaign yet again denies Harper is against former Quebec premier’s leadership campaign bid
Media reports continue to suggest that Stephen Harper will oppose Jean Charest’s Conservative leadership election bid, but a senior strategist for the former Quebec premier’s campaign strenuously denies the stories, arguing that the former prime minister will not influence the outcome of the leadership election. “I will believe it when I see it,” said Michael […]
Place your bets, it’s a real race, now
OTTAWA—It’s official. There really will be a race for the Conservative leadership. For political watchers from all sides, that is a good thing. We really will be able to witness the fight for the heart and soul of the Conservative Party. Frontrunner Pierre Poilievre has already laid down the ground rules. He represents a “back […]
What’s up with gas? Explaining the global and local politics behind the price at the pump
In the wake of rising oil and gas prices, Conservative politicians have been urging the government to decrease its dependence on oil imports and ramp up Canadian production, but Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the opposition is “playing politics.” Gas prices have been climbing steadily for months now, but in the last two weeks, Canadians […]
