National

Conservatives kick off virtual policy convention

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Mar, 2021 07:58 PM

The federal Conservatives have kicked off a historic policy convention — not with balloons or rousing cheers, but with instructions on how to click the right links.

Tomorrow's the day! I'm speaking at the Conservative Party Convention to share our vision to secure Canada's future. I'll be live at 5:15 PM EDT. Tune in! pic.twitter.com/1YNO7PNVIw
— Erin O'Toole (@erinotoole) March 18, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the event entirely online, and while robust debate is expected on the party's policy and governance, it will be hard to find the raucous spirit that normally takes over a convention floor.

But outgoing party president Scott Lamb sought to rally the attendees anyway, saying the party was in good financial shape, has a strong membership base and is ready to take on the Liberals in the next election.

Figuring out which policies they will champion on the campaign trail is part of the debate at the convention, with ideas that include giving the federal ethics commissioner more power to punish MPs, a tougher approach to China and improvements to the party's current stance on climate change.

The marquee event will be a speech from Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole on Friday night, his first address to the party's grassroots since he won leadership last year.

The opening elements of the convention also featured an appearance by former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper, who paid tribute to the former head of the party's fundraising arm, Irving Gerstein.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Post-tropical storm Teddy hits N.S. coastline

Schools were closed, public transit in Halifax was suspended until noon and many flights were cancelled, but Teddy didn't leave much of a mark on the province.

Post-tropical storm Teddy hits N.S. coastline

Raymond said killings 'not my fault': witness

On Sept. 15 when the trial opened, lawyers for Raymond acknowledged their client shot and killed the four people but said he is not criminally responsible because of a mental disorder.

Raymond said killings 'not my fault': witness

Supreme Court reserves judgment on carbon tax

After two days of hearings and presentations from more than two dozen interested parties, the court adjourned without yet deciding whether the carbon price is constitutional.

Supreme Court reserves judgment on carbon tax

Liberals unveil sweeping plans for now, future

The Liberals framed their approach Wednesday as giving Canadians a choice, in an echo of their 2019 election campaign strategy.

Liberals unveil sweeping plans for now, future

Parties agree on hybrid Commons sittings

The plan also includes reconstituting committees such as a special body examining Canada-China relations.

Parties agree on hybrid Commons sittings

Overdose deaths drop in August from July in B.C.

Data from the coroners service show overdose deaths began increasing in B.C. just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, when 113 people died, up from 73 in February.