So you think you want to lead the Conservative Party of Canada?
OTTAWA—The year 2020 has begun, and the Conservatives have announced that the party’s leadership “convention,” or more specifically the results announcement, will take place in Toronto on Saturday, June 27. That also coincides with one of Toronto’s big Pride celebrations. Someone on the Conservative Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC) is thinking strategically. Rules are still […]
Seasoned Tory fundraiser Eaton looking to next chapter, party rejuvenation as Senate retirement looms
While politics had always been on the periphery of retiring Conservative Senator Nicole Eaton’s life, she points to lunch in the late ’90s with a man trying to bring the former federal Progressive Conservative Party back from a $10-million hole of debt, while also trying to pay the unelected leader Joe Clark a salary. “I’ll […]
Trudeau comes back to Ottawa with a vacation beard
After a few weeks in Costa Rica, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came back to work with a beard. The salt-and-pepper beard provided some, including The Canadian Press, to speculate that the prime minister’s “more serious look” goes with his “more businesslike approach.” Vice had many theories for the beard, even suggesting it could be a […]
‘Like a surprise military operation’: Potential Tory leadership bids being prepped with big names on the radar
With the Conservative Party still in the process of finalizing the rules for the summer’s crucial leadership contest, potential contestants are jockeying behind the scenes to put together their campaign teams, making fundraising phone calls, and seeking support from movers and shakers in the party. But most are also keeping an eye on whether high-profile […]
Politics This Morning: Happy new year!
Happy Friday, and a happy new year to all! Many are no doubt still in vacation mode—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and family, for example, remain on holiday in Costa Rica—with the House of Commons not set to return until Jan. 27. For its part, the Senate will be back on Feb. 4. The Bank of […]
Some Conservative MPs ‘upset,’ ‘disappointed’ in wake of reports raising questions about Scheer’s family, office expenses
Some Conservative caucus members are upset by the stories about Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer’s family and his leadership office’s expenses, warning that if more negative information comes out, it would be unrealistic for him to stay on until a new leader is elected at the party’s convention. “This is not good for the party,” said […]
Scheer exit opens door for reset, say members who welcome the chance ‘to spring clean’
Outgoing Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer’s departure brings a chance for some necessary “spring cleaning,” says one Conservative Senator as party members call the pending race a chance for a party in need of a reset, rebranding, and bold centre-right ideas. The race should bring “fresh blood” and serious economic policies to a party in […]
Shaken and stirred: Scheer’s poor instincts continue
OTTAWA—It seems a bit cruel to pile on Andrew Scheer now that he has officially announced his resignation as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. But unfortunately, there is some more to say about his tenure in that job. First, for the positive: Scheer does deserve credit for holding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to […]
Scheer’s departure is good news for his party
OTTAWA—Even in resignation, Andrew Scheer was unable to muster kind words for any party other than that of the Conservatives. His smile masked a bitterness that seemed to permeate his final goodbye to Parliament as leader. He had fine prose for the people in his own party, and much support for the sacrifices made by […]
Former Harper-era minister Michael Fortier ‘looking very seriously’ at run for Conservative leadership
Michael Fortier, a former trade minister in Stephen Harper’s cabinet, and vice-chairman of RBC Capital Markets, has been reaching out to key players in the Conservative Party to explore the possibility of running for the top job. John Reynolds, a former Conservative MP and a fundraiser for one of the groups that pushed Andrew Scheer […]
