With Erin O’Toole gone as Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) leader, the party will be scrambling to set the stage for another leadership race.
With a potential federal election on the way in less than two years – perhaps much less if the minority Liberal government fails a confidence vote – CPC members have begun to speculate as to the future direction of their party.
An overwhelming number of the CPC caucus voted to be rid of O’Toole on Wednesday. Their fundamental grievance, according to sources, was that the former leader had taken the party too close to the centre by reneging on his “True Blue” brand and too closely mimicking Liberal party policies and stances.
Others loyal to O’Toole stood by his approach, but they didn’t have the numbers to save him.
Several names have been floated as to who will be O’Toole’s successor. True North has compiled a list of some of the most credible candidates along with two unlikely – yet fun-to-consider – picks.
Pierre Poilievre
Finance critic Pierre Poilievre is among the foremost candidates suggested to replace O’Toole.
Poilievre has been at the forefront of Question Period, dishing it out to the governing Liberals – and to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – at every opportunity he gets. His recent principled support of the trucker convoy and strong fiscal conservatism have solidified his position as a favourite of the Conservative base.
As an experienced politician with wide name recognition, Poilievre tops the list as having a good chance to lead the party into the next election and possibly into government.
Leslyn Lewis
Although still a rookie MP, Leslyn Lewis caught the attention not only of Tories but also of the entire country when she ran for the 2020 Conservative leadership without yet having a seat in the House of Commons.
After placing third behind Peter MacKay in the leadership race, Lewis was elected to represent Haldimand–Norfolk with a strong showing in the 2021 federal election.
Lewis has been seen by many as sympathetic to the social conservative arm of the party and has long spoken out against government overreach during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Michelle Rempel Garner
Natural resources critic Michelle Rempel Garner is also a big name in Conservative circles and as an Alberta MP would be a solid pick for the party’s top post.
Prior to the caucus revolt which ousted O’Toole, Rempel Garner had thrown her hat behind the former leader and even admonished those who brought the matter to a vote on Wednesday.
Considering her progressive leanings and her ear for Western Canadian issues, Rempel Garner could easily pick up O’Toole’s supporters if she ran for leadership.
Brad Wall
Veteran politician and former Premier of Saskatchewan Brad Wall could be just what the CPC needs after a year of instability and divisions under O’Toole.
Wall’s name has been floated frequently in past leadership contests, and though he has yet to run in any of them, the CPC contest could just be the one where he throws his hat into the race.
As a wildly popular former premier, Wall has a lot going for him if he decides to run for leader, including his Prairie credentials and sensible conservative policies.
Michael Chong
Foreign affairs critic Michael Chong is well-known to Canadians at large. He has held several distinguished posts under former prime minister Stephen Harper, including Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada. Chong also had a strong showing in the packed 2017 CPC leadership race, hanging on until the tenth of thirteen rounds.
As a member of the Opposition, Chong has also been at the forefront of international issues, spearheading a successful move to brand China’s treatments of Uyghur minorities a genocide.
With Red Tory leanings and Ontario roots, Chong could make a strong candidate in an upcoming leadership race.
Patrick Brown
Although not elected to the House of Commons, Mayor of Brampton and former Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario Patrick Brown certainly has the potential to be the next federal Conservative leader.
With an intimate knowledge of Ontario voters, Brown could very well be what it takes for the CPC to get a stronger foothold in the vote-rich 905 region, potentially turning the tide on Liberal dominance in and around Toronto.
Peter MacKay
People are asking whether former federal cabinet minister and veteran politician Peter MacKay might once again run for leadership of the CPC. After all, MacKay was runner-up to O’Toole in the 2020 leadership race.
MacKay has a long history with Canadian conservatism, overseeing the merger of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada with Stephen Harper’s Canadian Alliance in 2003 to form the modern CPC. While in federal politics, MacKay handled top cabinet files including National Defence, Foreign Affairs and Justice.
MacKay has both the name recognition and know-how to lead the CPC. It’s just a question of whether he’ll run again, and win.
Stephen Harper
Could former prime minister Stephen Harper come back to take the party’s reins? Although it’s very unlikely, many Conservatives fondly harken back to the days of Harper, which came to an end in 2015 with the majority election of Trudeau’s Liberals.
As Prime Minister, Harper raised Canada’s international profile, a stark contrast to the disastrous policies and embarrassing international behaviour of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Harper did it all, including weathering severe economic storms and standing up to belligerent nations such as Russia. There can be no doubt that he could do it all over again.
