If Kenney loses his leadership review, he will be the second casualty of populist uprising after O’Toole, say politicos
If Alberta Premier Jason Kenney loses his May 18 leadership review, he will be the second casualty of the populist uprising after Erin O’Toole, who was ousted as Conservative party leader in early February, say politicos. “He’d [Jason Kenney] have to get in line after Erin O’Toole,” said Nik Nanos, founder of Nanos Research. “Erin […]
Why is Patrick Brown running for the federal Conservative leadership and how does he fit with Jean Charest?
OTTAWA—On the surface, it makes little sense why a former short-time Ontario provincial leader and now Brampton mayor—known for running the show there—is coming forward to throw his hat into the federal Conservative Party of Canada leadership race, hoping to win over other contenders. But Patrick Brown has politics in his blood and greater ambitions. Brown’s […]
Getting out of ‘groundhog mode’: Party Central’s back with an unmasked party at the Met
In Art Deco low light, throngs of lobbyists, politicians, staffers, and reporters crowded the Métropolitain Brasserie Restaurant, run by Sarah Chown and one of political Ottawa’s favourite watering holes, on March 23, many of whom were back on the Hill to let loose and celebrate for the first time in a long time. Stephen Hendrie, […]
Yesterday’s man takes a shot at remaking Canada’s future
OTTAWA—One thing is for sure: you can take Jean Charest at his word when he says he’s not afraid of an uphill struggle. I can recall his lonely days as the so-called leader of the Progressive Conservative party after the loss to Jean Chretien’s Liberals in 1993. The joke about being able to hold a […]
LGBTQ2S+ issues unlikely to repeat as spoiler in Tory leadership race, experts say
LGBTQ2S+ rights are not necessarily the biggest issue in the Conservative Party, experts say, and though the jury is still out on how some of the candidates will tackle LGBTQ2+ issues, others seem like they might do well and possibly win over a larger queer voter base. Asked what bearing LGBTQ2S+ issues might have on […]
Conservatives looking for a ‘tough leader’ to ‘fight fire with fire’: Q&A with Gerry Nicholls
Conservatives are looking for a tough leader and the party’s next contender for prime minister should demonstrate that he or she can “fight fire with fire” against the Liberals, says Conservative strategist Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times’ columnist joined executive editor Peter Mazereeuw, host of The Hot Room podcast, last week to offer his thoughts […]
Canadian political landscape could change dramatically by summer’s end
OTTAWA—By summer’s end, the Canadian political landscape could change dramatically. Ontario is into a provincial election in less than two months, smack in the middle of a national Conservative leadership race. Quebec must have an election by Oct. 3, and next month Alberta’s controversial premier faces an internal review which could plunge his party into […]
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 […]
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 […]
