Strong start for Poilievre, but room remains for other serious leadership contenders, say strategists
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre may be off to a strong start, but strategists say there’s still plenty of time for other serious contenders to emerge in the party’s upcoming leadership race, which will help define its path forward. Putting his name forward quickly was definitely a good move for Poilievre (Carleton, Ont.), said Garry Keller, […]
Will trucker-enabling Conservatives bet the house on a Republican-style, COVID-driven culture war?
OTTAWA—Local police established a very problematic precedent in allowing an angry, rebellious crowd to take control of the nation’s capital for more than a week. For whatever reason, the police initially abdicated responsibility for maintaining order in the capital and subjected its citizens to harassment and bullying by hostile troublemakers on a seemingly endless scale. […]
Conservatives need a leader who can sit at the grown-ups table
OTTAWA—Give credit where credit is due. It is not something that happens much anymore in our political ecosystem, and frankly it should. My preaching aside, I want to acknowledge some wise words offered by Globe and Mail columnist Andrew Coyne on CBC’s At Issue panel last week. While offering his opinion on what has been […]
Tory leadership race should end before July, say Poilievre campaign supporters, unfazed by convoy backing
Supporters of Conservative Party leadership election front-runner—and the sole declared candidate so far—Pierre Poilievre say the contest should be concluded before July to give the winner an opportunity to attend the BBQ circuit across the country during the summer and get the party ready for the next election. “The sooner the better,” said Conservative MP […]
Poilievre’s in, and Brown not ruling out running for federal Conservative leadership election
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, who also served as a federal MP and Ontario PC leader in the past, is not ruling out running for the federal Conservative Party’s top job that opened up last week after the caucus ousted Erin O’Toole as party leader. “Well, it’s premature for me to speculate at this time,” said […]
Conservative MPs’ endorsement of Ottawa’s ongoing occupation indefensible
At this point, what started out as a convoy and became a protest against all COVID-19 restrictions has again morphed this time into a week-long occupation of downtown Ottawa. It is hurting the very same people the protesters claim to want to help: working-class folks struggling with the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on their lives […]
No plans for O’Toole’s leadership review before August 2023, says Conservative Party president Rob Batherson
The Conservative Party has no plans to hold an early review of Erin O’Toole’s leadership even though four ridings have passed motions demanding one by this summer and more are planning to do the same in the coming weeks, says party president Rob Batherson. “We’re having a good healthy discussion,” said Batherson, in an interview […]
Big issues at play as the parliamentary games begin
OTTAWA—Parliament returns on Jan. 31 for what could prove to be an eventful sitting. As we all work to slog through winter, our federal legislative Chamber will be focused on the pandemic, inflation, and, in these early days, potential war in Ukraine. Fascinating subplots will also be in Justin Trudeau’s flourishing “will he or won’t […]
Liberal leadership speculation a distraction, Trudeau should shut it down firmly, say Liberal MPs, political insiders, and pollsters
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is definitely planning to lead his party in the next election, he should put an end to the speculation about the leadership election, or it could become a serious distraction for the government at a time when the country is dealing with the serious health and economic challenges of COVID, […]
House sitting ‘make or break’ for O’Toole’s leadership, say Conservatives
Conservative MPs, former senior Tories, and political insiders view the upcoming House sitting to be a litmus test for Erin O’Toole’s leadership. If he survives until the summer recess, it will be harder for his opponents to bring him down after that point and he will most likely lead his party in the next election, […]
