Member of Parliament Leslyn Lewis is running to become the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.
“I’m running to lead our party and our country based on hope, unity and compassion,” said Lewis in a tweet on Tuesday.
Lewis declared that people on all sides of a debate need compassion and understanding and that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to take responsibility for his failed leadership.
Defending Canada’s democracy, said Lewis, means people “need to have compassionate hearts and listening ears.”
“It is about who gets to be a part of this conversation,” she said. “The only acceptable answer to that question is everybody, every Canadian.”
Sources close to Lewis had said that she was preparing to enter the Conservative leadership race last week.
“We’re in it to win,” said an anonymous source.
This source said that she was waiting to enter the race until more details were revealed about the rules.
Lewis ran in the last Conservative leadership race in 2020. She came in third place, despite winning the popular vote.
The only other candidate competing against her at the moment is Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, although former Quebec Liberal premier Jean Charest and Brampton mayor Patrick Brown are also expected to formally announce their campaigns this week.
Poilievre first announced his candidacy in a Feb. 5 video.
“I’m running for prime minister to give you back control of your life,” said Poilievre.
The next Conservative leader will be announced on Sept. 10.
