Conservative Party of Canada leadership election, 2017
| Date | May 27, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Convention | TBD |
| Resigning leader | Stephen Harper |
| Won by | TBD |
| Entrance Fee | C$ |
The 2017 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election will be held on May 27, 2017 to choose a successor to Stephen Harper, who led the Conservative Party of Canada as its first leader from 2004 following the merger of the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative Parties. Harper lead the party through 5 general elections with the opposition party increasing its seat count in 2004, forming two minority governments in 2006, and 2008, respectively, and then a majority government in 2011. Following the defeat of his party in the 2015 election, Harper tendered his resignation as party leader on election night, October 19, 2015.[1] In a statement, Conservative Party President John Walsh said he had spoken to Harper, "and he has instructed me to reach out to the newly elected parliamentary caucus to appoint an Interim Leader and to implement the leadership selection process."[2]
Interim leadership
Conservative Party president John Walsh's letter to caucus stated that only MPs would vote for the interim leader, but Conservative Senators pointed out that the party constitution states that the entire parliamentary caucus votes.[3][4] The caucus allowed Senators to vote, declining to adopt the provisions of the Reform Act that would have only allowed MPs to vote.[5][6]
The caucus chose Rona Ambrose, MP for Sturgeon River—Parkland, Alberta and former Minister of Health, as interim leader at its first meeting on November 5, 2015 in a vote by preferential ballot.[7][8][9] Ambrose, as the interim leader, will also serve as Leader of the Official Opposition in the Parliament of Canada until a permanent leader is chosen. She defeated Candice Bergen, Diane Finley, Mike Lake, Rob Nicholson, Erin O'Toole, and the joint ticket of Denis Lebel and Michelle Rempel in the caucus vote.[10][11][12][9][13]
Under the party's constitution, Ambrose, as the interim leader, may not run for the permanent position.[11]
Leadership election timing
Following Harper's resignation, debate emerged within the Conservative Party regarding the timing of the leadership election. Initially, some members of the party’s national council were calling for a leadership convention as early as May 2016 according to Maclean's magazine.[14] However, interim leader Rona Ambrose has said there is a consensus among the party's caucus that the leadership election shouldn't be rushed and should be held sometime in 2017.[15][16][16][17] In a December 2015 interview, Ambrose said the party will take its time allowing all members, including those not already involved in politics, to build a strong candidacy. "If we take a little extra time, that will mean we'll have a better leadership race,"[18]
The Conservative Party's Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC) met at Toronto's Albany Club January 15–17, 2016 to discuss the process for the Party to elect its next leader. Among its decisions, LEOC selected May 27, 2017 for Conservative Party members to elect their next leader.[19]
Rules
Only party members will be allowed to vote.[20] The fee for a party membership has been raised to $25 from $15 and can only be paid via personal cheque or credit card with cash payments not being permitted. This new requirement is seen as a way of combatting the "instant member" phenomenon and preventing anyone other than the individual member, such as a candidate's campaign, from signing up scores of members with the campaign paying the membership fees in cash out of campaign funds.[21]
Timeline
- October 19, 2015 – Federal election results in defeat of Conservative government. As Harper spoke to supporters in Calgary, making no reference to his future, a statement was released by the party announcing Harper's resignation as party leader and his request that an interim leader be chosen to lead the party in parliament until a leadership election can be held.[1]
- November 4, 2015 – Harper formally resigns as prime minister; Liberal government led by Justin Trudeau sworn in.[22]
- November 5, 2015 – Conservative caucus held its first meeting since the 2015 federal election[23] and chose former health minister[24] Rona Ambrose interim leader of the party.[3]
- December 4–5, 2015 – National Council meets, 20 member Leadership Election Organization Committee appointed, including seven members of the National Council and MP Diane Finley, all of whom have pledged to be neutral during the leadership campaign; Dan Nowlan is appointed the committee's chair.[15][16]
- January 15–17, 2016 – The Leadership Election Organization Committee meets at the Albany Club in Toronto to decide on the date of the leadership vote, the deadline for candidates to be nominated, campaign spending limits, the entrance fee for candidates and the appeals process for any disputes.[25]
- May 26–28, 2016 – Conservative Party national policy convention, to be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre, will vote on policy and elect party president and other officials.[16]
- May 27, 2017 – Leadership election is held.[19]
Candidates
Publicly expressed interest
- Maxime Bernier – Shadow Minister of Innovation (2015–present), MP for Beauce, Quebec (2006–present), Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism (2011–2015), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2007–2008), Minister of Industry (2006–2007),[26][27] "self-described libertarian".[28][29]
- Michael Chong – MP for Wellington—Halton Hills, Ontario (2004–present), Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Youth (2006) and Minister of Sport (2006)[30][31]
- Tony Clement – Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs (2015–present), MP for Parry Sound—Muskoka, Ontario (2006–present), President of the Treasury Board (2011–2015), Minister of Industry (2008–2011), Minister of Health (2006–2008), finished third in the 2004 Conservative leadership election, Ontario Progressive Conservative Party MPP (1995–2003) and provincial cabinet minister (1997–2003).[26][28][29][32][33]
- Doug Ford – Toronto City Councillor (2010–2014), second place candidate in Toronto mayoral election (2014)[26][29][34]
- Kellie Leitch – Shadow Minister of Health (2015–present), MP for Simcoe—Grey, Ontario (2011–present), Minister of Labour (2013–2015), pediatric orthopedic surgeon by profession.[28][29][32][35][36][37]
- Peter MacKay – MP for Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, Nova Scotia (1997–2004) and Central Nova, Nova Scotia (2004–2015), Minister of Justice and Attorney General (2013–2015), Minister of National Defence (2007–2013), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2006–2007), Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada (2003)[26][29][32] MacKay did not contest the 2015 federal election and is not an MP currently. MacKay has refused to rule out a leadership bid, saying he won't “burn bridges or slam doors” but says that he is focussed on his family and a career in the private sector.[38]
- Kevin O'Leary – Entrepreneur, financier, and broadcaster.[29][39]
- Lisa Raitt – Shadow Minister of Finance (2015–present), MP for Milton, Ontario (2015–present) and Halton, Ontario (2008–2015), Minister of Transport (2013–2015), Minister of Labour (2010–2013), Minister of Natural Resources (2008–2010), President and CEO of the Toronto Port Authority (2002–2008)[26][29][35][40]
- Michelle Rempel – Shadow Minister of Immigration (2015–present), MP for Calgary Nose Hill, Alberta (2015–present) and Calgary Centre-North, Alberta (2011–2015), Minister of Western Economic Diversification (2013–2015)[29][41][42]
Other prospective candidates
- Jason Kenney – Chair of Shadow Cabinet Committee on Strategic Operations, MP for Calgary Midnapore, Alberta (2015–present) and Calgary Southeast, Alberta (1997–2015), Minister of National Defence (2015), Minister for Multiculturalism (2013–2015), Minister of Employment and Social Development (2013–2015), Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (2008–2013). First elected as a Reform Party and then Canadian Alliance MP before the merger.[26][29][43]
- Rob Nicholson – Shadow Minister of Justice and Attorney General (2015–present), MP for Niagara Falls (1984–1993, 2004–present), Minister for Democratic Reform (2006–2007), Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (2006–2007), Minister of Justice and Attorney General (2007–2013), Minister of National Defence (2013–2015), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2015) and Shadow Minister of Justice and Attorney General (2015–present)[44]
- Pierre Poilievre – Shadow President of Treasury Board (2015–present) MP for Carleton, Ontario (2015–present) and Nepean—Carleton, Ontario (2004–2015), Minister of Employment and Social Development (2015), Minister for Democratic Reform (2013–2015)[26]
- Brad Wall – Premier of Saskatchewan (2007–present), Leader of the Saskatchewan Party (2004–present). While Wall has declined interest, speculation persists that he may declare his candidacy for the federal leadership after the Saskatchewan general election in April 2016.[29][45][46][47][48][49]
Declined
- Rona Ambrose – Interim Leader of the CPC and Leader of the Official Opposition (2015–present), MP for Sturgeon River—Parkland (2015–present) and Edmonton—Spruce Grove, Alberta (2004–2015), Minister of Health (2013–2015), Minister of Public Works and Government Services (2010–2013), Minister of Labour (2008–2010), Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs (2007–2008), Minister of the Environment (2006–2007).[50]
- John Baird – MP for Ottawa West—Nepean, Ontario (2006–2015), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2011–2015), Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (2010–2011), Minister of the Environment (2007–2008, 2010–2011), Minister of Transport (2008–2010), President of the Treasury Board, (2006–2007), Ontario Progressive Conservative Party MPP (1995–2005) and provincial cabinet minister (1999–2003).[51][52]
- Jean Charest – Premier of Quebec (2003–2012), Leader of the Quebec Liberal Party (1998–2012), Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada (1993–1998), Deputy Prime Minister of Canada (1993), Minister of the Environment (1991–1993), MP for Sherbrooke (1984–1998)[53]
- Christy Clark – Premier of British Columbia (2011–present), Leader of the B.C. Liberal Party (2011–present)[54][55]
- Bernard Lord – Premier of New Brunswick (1999–2006), Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick (1997–2006)[26][56]
- Caroline Mulroney Lapham – investment management executive, daughter of former prime minister Brian Mulroney.[57][58]
- Mark Mulroney – head of capital equity markets at the National Bank of Canada, son of former prime minister Brian Mulroney.[59]
- James Moore – MP for Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, British Columbia (2000–2004) and Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, British Columbia (2004–2015), Minister of Industry (2013–2015), Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages (2008–2013). Elected as a Canadian Alliance MP in 2000.[26][60]
- Scott Reid – Shadow Minister of Democratic Institutions (2015–present), MP for Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, Ontario (2015–present), Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, Ontario (2004–2015) and Lanark—Carleton, Ontario (2000–2004)[61]
Opinion polling
The polls below were conducted before nominations for the leadership closed and therefore include potential candidates for the leadership race. Rona Ambrose, as interim leader, is ineligible to run for the permanent leadership but is included in polling done prior to her election.
All Canadians
| Polling firm | Last date of polling |
Link | Sample size |
Margin of error |
Maxime Bernier |
Michael Chong |
Tony Clement |
Doug Ford |
Jason Kenney |
Kellie Leitch |
Peter MacKay |
Rob Nicholson |
Kevin O'Leary |
Lisa Raitt |
Michelle Rempel |
Brad Wall |
Other/ Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abacus Data | November 25, 2015 | HTML | 360 | ± 2.6% | 8% | 7% | — | 8% | 10% | 4% | 31% | — | — | 10% | — | 9% | Jean Charest 15% |
| Forum Research | November 7, 2015 | 334 | ± 3.0% | — | — | 7% | — | 11% | 9% | 29% | 6% | — | — | 11% | — | Rona Ambrose 14% John Baird 14% | |
Conservative supporters
| Polling firm | Last date of polling |
Link | Sample size |
Margin of error |
Maxime Bernier |
Michael Chong |
Tony Clement |
Doug Ford |
Jason Kenney |
Kellie Leitch |
Peter MacKay |
Rob Nicholson |
Kevin O'Leary |
Lisa Raitt |
Michelle Rempel |
Brad Wall |
Other/ Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainstreet Research | January 15, 2016 | HTML | 4,937 | ± 1.4% | 4% | — | — | — | 8% | 3% | 25% | — | 23% | 4% | — | — | Undecided 29% Someone else 3% |
| Abacus Data | January 12, 2016 | HTML | 1,500 | ± 2.6% | 5% | — | 13% | — | 19% | 4% | 42% | — | — | 13% | — | — | Bernard Lord 5% |
| Abacus Data | November 25, 2015 | HTML | 360 | ± 2.6% | 6% | 3% | — | 4% | 12% | 3% | 35% | — | — | 8% | — | 17% | Jean Charest 11% |
| Forum Research | November 7, 2015 | 334 | ± 3.0% | — | — | 7% | — | 16% | 4% | 32% | 4% | — | — | 7% | — | John Baird 18% Rona Ambrose 12% | |
References
- 1 2 "Stephen Harper resigns as Conservative leader". CTV News. October 19, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
- ↑ "Stephen Harper resigns as Conservative leader". CTVNews. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- 1 2 "@Kady: Tory senators (probably) won't be left out of interim leadership vote". Ottawa Citizen. October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Conservative Senator to challenge party brass over interim leadership selection rules". The Hill Times. October 22, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Michael Chong urges MPs to 'reclaim their influence' as Reform Act takes effect". CBC News. October 27, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
- ↑ "Rona Ambrose elected interim Conservative leader". Radio Canada International. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ↑ "Rona Ambrose elected interim Conservative leader". CTVNews. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ↑ "Conservatives to vote for interim leader Nov. 5, still at odds over rules". ipolitics.ca. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
- 1 2 "Erin O'Toole To Run For Interim Conservative Leadership". Huffington Post. Canadian Press. October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Manitoba's Candice Bergen joins Conservative interim leadership contest". CBC News. October 27, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
- 1 2 Spiteri, Ray (October 23, 2015). "Rob Nicholson wants to become interim leader of the federal Conservatives". National Post. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
- ↑ "Rona Ambrose, Mike Lake to run for Conservative interim leadership". Maclean's. October 30, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
- ↑ "Here’s something new: Rempel and Lebel want to be co-leaders of the Tories". David Akin's On the Hill. October 31, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
- ↑ Paul Wells. "Conservative caucus unrest mounts". Macleans.ca. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- 1 2 Ditchburn, Jennifer (December 7, 2015). "Conservative leadership committee struck, plan to set voting date soon". Yahoo! News. Canadian Press. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 "Conservative Leadership Race: Tories May Put Off Vote Until 2017". Huffington Post. Canadian Press. November 29, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
- ↑ The Hill Times. "Conservative MPs calling on party to hold leadership convention in spring 2017". hilltimes.com. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ↑ "Political lookahead: What's in store for the major parties in 2016". CTVNews. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
- 1 2 "Mark your calendars, federal Conservatives: You’ll be electing a new leader on May 27, 2017". National Post. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ↑ "Conservative Party to choose next leader May 27, 2017". Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. January 19, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
- ↑ "Rule change could have implications for Conservative leadership race". Globe and Mail. 12 February 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
- ↑ "Lifting the curtain on Harper's covert exit strategy". Ottawa Citizen. October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
- ↑ "Conservatives select Rona Ambrose as interim leader". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ↑ The Canadian Press (November 6, 2015). "Rona Ambrose named interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada". National Post. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ↑ "Conservative leadership contest fractious before race begins". National Post. January 15, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Who will replace Steven Harper as leader of the Conservatives?". National Post. October 20, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
- ↑ "Conservative Party leadership race: Beauce MP Maxime Bernier hints at bid". cbc.ca. November 15, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
- 1 2 3 "Maxime Bernier Preparing Bid For Conservative Party Leadership". Huffington Post. December 19, 2015. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Dehaas, Josh. "10 possible contenders as Conservatives plan leadership race". CTVNews. CTV. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
- ↑ "Popular MP Chong considering Conservative leadership bid". Guelph Mercury. January 18, 2016.
- ↑ "Why Michael Chong would be a good fit as Conservative leader". The Globe and Mail. November 18, 2015.
- 1 2 3 "Tories face question of Harper’s replacement". The Hill Times. October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Clement on possible leadership bid: "Fools rush in"". iPoliitics. January 19, 2016.
- ↑ "Doug Ford supports Harper, but would consider Conservative Party leadership". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
- 1 2 Campion-Smith, Bruce (December 12, 2015). "Tony Clement organizers meet to discuss possible leadership bid". The Toronto Star. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ↑ Wells, Paul (October 23, 2015). "Conservative caucus unrest mounts". Maclean's. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
- ↑ "Kellie Leitch mulling run for Conservative leadership". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
- ↑ "Peter MacKay won’t rule out Conservative leadership run". Globe and Mail. January 25, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
- ↑ "Kevin O'Leary circling as key Conservatives test Tory leadership waters". CBC News. January 14, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
- ↑ "10 possible contenders as Conservatives plan leadership race". CTV News. January 14, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
- ↑ "Michelle Rempel considers a run for leadership of the Conservative Party, talks being a young woman in politics". Storify. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
- ↑ "Michelle Rempel and the new conservatism". Toronto Sun. Postmedia Network. December 12, 2015. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
- ↑ "Election results promise repercussions for all party leaders". Chronicle-Herald. October 18, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
- ↑ "Potential Conservative leadership candidates mull runs, muse publicly". The Canadian Press.
- ↑ "Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and the federal Conservative leadership: What comes next, if anything?". Regina Leader-Post. November 28, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
- ↑ "Premier Brad Wall says he won’t run for Conservative leadership". Regina Leader-Post. October 20, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
- ↑ "Wall emerges as hypothetical front-runner in Tory leadership race". Yahoo News. December 2, 2015.
- ↑ "Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and the federal Conservative leadership: What comes next, if anything?". Regina Leader Post. November 28, 2015.
- ↑ Harper, Tim (December 6, 2015). "The shining conservative star". Cape Breton Post. Torstar Syndication Services. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
- ↑ "Buzz begins over Harper's replacement". thestarphoenix.com. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ↑ "Ex-foreign affairs minister John Baird considering bid for Tory leadership". Globe and Mail. October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ↑ "John Baird will not seek leadership of Conservative Party of Canada (Press Release)". Canada NewsWire. October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Jean Charest quashes rumours of Conservative leadership bid to replace Stephen Harper". CBC News. October 22, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Christy Clark mentioned to replace Harper as Conservative leader". CTV News. October 20, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
- ↑ "B.C. Premier Christy Clark rejects Conservative leadership bid". CBC News. October 20, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
- ↑ "Bernard Lord won't seek federal Conservative leadership". CBC News. October 21, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
- ↑ Blizzard, Christina (December 14, 2015). "Caroline Mulroney Lapham could be Tories' heir apparent". Toronto Sun. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
- ↑ Blizzard, Christina (December 15, 2015). "Caroline Mulroney says politics isn't her priority". Toronto Sun. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
- ↑ "Mark Mulroney Says No To Tory Leadership Bid, For Now". Huffington Post. Canadian Press. October 22, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
- ↑ "James Moore calls for a more inclusive Conservative leader". Vancouver Sun. October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
- ↑ "Reid re-elected but ends up back in opposition". insideottawavalley.com. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
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