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 […]
2019: the year of the unexpected
OAKVILLE, ONT.—One of the fun aspects about politics is its unpredictably. You just never know what’s going to happen next. And nowadays it seems, for whatever reason, politics is more unpredictable than ever. This is why I’ve decided not to write a “Here’s My Predictions For Next Year” column, since I’m sure 2020 will be […]
After relentless pressure, Scheer says he’ll resign as Conservative party leader amid private school controversy, caucus supports him as interim leader
After facing relentless calls to step down since the party failed to win the election, Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer on Thursday announced he is resigning. Mr. Scheer (Regina-Qu’Appelle, Sask.) delivered a statement about his resignation on the House floor, surrounded by his caucus members. He intends to stay on as leader until the party […]
Some defeated Conservatives want to back Scheer for their own ‘survival’ as future candidates
Some Conservative candidates who were defeated in October’s election say they want to support Party Leader Andrew Scheer in the April leadership review, to protect their own nominations in the next election. Voting for Andrew Scheer (Regina-Qu’Appelle, Sask.) would give them a better relationship with the leadership, and better odds of being party candidates in […]
Will parties face a cash crunch in 2020?
OAKVILLE, ONT.—According to an old military adage, “amateurs talk strategy, professionals talk logistics.” So just to sound professional, I will forgo discussing topics related to grand political strategy—how will the Liberal government deal with the unity crisis; will Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer put down the mutineers within his party; what kind of socks will […]
The Ides of March are coming and Andrew Scheer may want to circle it on his calendar
OTTAWA—“Release the hounds!” is the resounding sentiment of many Conservatives after the bitter “L” they took in Election 43. Last week, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Andrew Scheer, faced even more scrutiny on his intentions to continue as leader as he announced his leadership team for the House of Commons. While current […]
‘Let’s get on with the contest now’: chorus of prominent Conservatives calling for Scheer’s ouster continues to grow
The list of prominent Harper-era staffers calling for Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer to step down has continued to grow, with one ex-Conservative MP saying that among his former constituents, “there’s a feeling that if there was a time” the Conservative leader could beat Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, “it was this time.” Sara MacIntyre, who worked […]
‘Only a Conservative government can keep this country united,’ Scheer says amid internal party divisions
PARLIAMENT HILL— Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says he will continue to make the case for leading the party into the next election, despite unrelenting calls for his resignation. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Mr. Scheer announced that Leona Alleslev, an ex-Liberal who crossed the floor last year, will be stepping into the role of deputy […]
Sharks are circling Scheer, not that he seems to have noticed
OTTAWA—There is blood in water and the sharks are circling. Andrew Scheer ought to be legitimately concerned, despite his recent, predictable, token gesture of firing two senior staff members to show action in response to criticism of his leadership. Those who worked for him are not at the root of Scheer’s troubles. Since the end […]
Time for Scheer to get another job
CHELSEA, QUE.—Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer has apparently learned nothing from last month’s election results—neither humility, nor the urgent need for a different tone, nor the limited appeal of his policy offerings. On the contrary, he seems determined to lose again. In post-election appearances, Scheer continues to campaign and carp and complain, grating on nerves […]
