The (Right) Candidates Rundown
- First elected in Simcoe-Grey, Ontario in 2011
- Pediatric Surgeon and Associate Professor at University of Toronto before entering politics
- Immigration and Canadian Values
- Taking power away from the elites
- Scrap the carbon tax
- Friendly to gun owners
- Electability: Potentially has a high number of dedicated supporters from those who want a strong voice. Has the potential to come in high on the first ballot but then it’s unknown where she will fall.
- Won the Durham, Ontario riding in a by-election in 2012, re-elected in 2015
- Lawyer, and member of the Royal Canadian Legion and Canadian Forces
- Has high numbers of support within party, with the most MP endorsements so far
- Wants to keep NATO commitments, and vows to stand up for farmers, veterans, and firearms owners
- Wants the provinces to have greater control of health care
- Probably the least known of all of the front runners, but with the broadest support among Canada, especially in Ontario and Atlantic Canada
- Electability: Probably only the first choice among military members and supporters, but aims to be the 2nd choice of many. Realistically 4th or 5th choice
- No previous political experience, but has experience in the media, as a former financial commentator on CBC and a panelist on Dragon’s Den.
- Businessman and investor
- Kevin O’Leary isn’t bilingual but says he speaks the language of jobs. That’s what the majority of his campaign has been about.
- Focuses on tax cuts, fast track immigration for high skilled workers for sectors in demand, take politics out of infrastructure spending decisions, prioritize investments that will drive domestic and trade growth, reduce regulations, and scrap the carbon tax.
- All of these policies are targeted to grow the economy and “unbridle” Canada’s natural resource sector.
- Electability: Has a high number of first ballot supporters and could be the second or third choices for many due to high media profile and recognizability
- MP of Regina—Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan since 2004, elected as the youngest Speaker of the HoC from 2011-2015
- Career politician, first elected at age 25
- Has 2nd highest party support, but most support is heavily concentrated in Western Canada
- Been called “Stephen Harper with a Smile”, vows to stand up for Western Canada, the only candidate from Western Canada with a real shot of winning
- Aims for fiscal responsibility, balanced budget, and lower taxes. Argues that economic growth must come first, and first on the agenda is to scrap the carbon tax
- Believes that the Southern border crossings are a problem and argues in favour of a more robust screening process, but not based on Leitch’s “Canadian Values”
- Pro-life, but like Harper, doesn’t want to legislate on the topic
- Sees himself as someone who can bring all wings of the Conservative party together, and who has the experience in Ottawa and the HoC to be able to defeat Trudeau.
- Electability: Probably first choice among Western Canadians, likeable 2nd choice for many who see him as a unifier among the party
- First elected in 2006 as an MP for Beauce, Quebec
- Before politics was a lawyer and vice president of the Standard Life insurance company
- High support in Quebec as well as Alberta, including most of the Wildrose Party caucus
- Maxime Bernier is the libertarian conservative candidate, and an advocate of limited government
- Maxime Bernier’s platform focuses on pure free market economics.
- Wants to eliminate supply management.
- Scrap the federal Carbon tax.
- Friendly to gun owners
- Wants to “get Ottawa out of health care” meaning that Ottawa will transfer the “tax points” to the provinces allowing them to focus on delivery and efficiency.
- Electability: Has a very broad base of support from Alberta and Quebec. Has the potential to finish high(er) on the first ballot but is unlikely to be second or third choices.
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Show Data
Episode Title: Our Collection of Conservative Candidates
Teaser: We’re 5 weeks away from the election of a new leader for the Conservative Party of Canada. We have a showcase of 5 candidates who we believe will finish in the top 5. Listen for our take on the candidates without bias and sensationalism.
Recorded Date: April 20, 2017
Release Date: April 21, 2017
Duration: 37:48
Edit Notes: None