Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

First deadline arrives for Conservative leadership

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Apr, 2022 01:57 PM
  • First deadline arrives for Conservative leadership

OTTAWA - At least eight candidates have crossed the first threshold to having their names appear on the final ballot of the Conservative Party of Canada leadership race.

British Columbia MP Marc Dalton was the latest to make Tuesday's deadline for submitting a $50,000 registration fee and completed questionnaire, along with meeting other requirements set by the party.

Dalton, whose campaign promises include holding an inquiry into Ottawa's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, joins former MP and Conservative deputy leader Leona Alleslev and MP Scott Aitchison in making the cutoff.

Others who have met the deadline include Brampton, Ont., Mayor Patrick Brown and Independent Ontario MPP Roman Baber.

Party executive director Wayne Benson said Tuesday he anticipates some packages will be received that will need to be reviewed, so no additional announcements would be made until those reviews are completed.

Conservative members will learn exactly who will be in the running to be the party's next leader once candidates cross the next hurdle in 10 days.

By April 29, candidates must submit the full $300,000 required in registration fees and a compliance deposit, along with signatures from 500 party members.

Pierre Poilievre and Leslyn Lewis have already done so, as has former Quebec premier Jean Charest, meaning the party has verified all three as candidates.

Jeff Silverstein, a spokesman for Brown's campaign, said Tuesday his team had also submitted the full $300,000 and looks forward "to being listed on the final ballot shortly."

For other campaigns, particularly those whose candidates have a considerably lower profile, finding sources to finance the entire $300,000 remains a challenge.

Dalton, in announcing that he passed the first stage of approval, tweeted he needed to "raise a lot more" to get on the final ballot.

"Any amount helps," he wrote.

A spokeswoman for Baber's campaign said Tuesday it anticipates raising and submitting the remainder of the $300,000 "very shortly."

Aitchison's campaign said he was grateful to the donors who have already contributed to his bid, but did not comment on how much it has left to go.

For others vying for a spot, the mountain is much steeper.

Saskatchewan businessman Joseph Bourgault — who entered the contest after founding a non-profit alleging Canadian governments were being controlled by "globalists" — said Tuesday he still has to raise more than $175,000 to make it in the race.

Speaking from Calgary, Bourgault said he submitted the initial $50,000 fee two weeks ago and on Wednesday was scheduled to speak with members of the party's leadership election organizing committee, which is a required next step for all candidates in order to pass the first stage.

The businessman said he's collected more than 550 signatures.

In addition to fundraising, candidates have been criss-crossing the country selling Conservative party memberships to their supporters, which they have until June 3 to do.

Candidates who clear the April 29 deadline have been invited to a May 5 leadership debate in Ottawa as part of an annual conference hosted by the Canada Strong and Free Network. It bills itself as a venue that supports the country's conservative movement.

The debate will be the first time candidates are set to face each other since the race was triggered in early February, when a majority of Conservative MPs voted to boot former leader Erin O'Toole out of the job.

The party itself has picked dates for its official debates. One in English will be held in Edmonton on May 11, which will be followed by one in French in Montreal May 25.

A third one could take place in early August, weeks before members are set to learn who their new leader is, when the results of the mail-in ballots are counted and revealed Sept. 10.

MORE National ARTICLES

Mass timber funding for B.C. university projects

Mass timber funding for B.C. university projects
Ravi Kahlon, minister of jobs, economic recovery and innovation, says the university is among those to get $1.2 million in funding that will be used to help build a 783-bed housing and dining facility set to open in September.

Mass timber funding for B.C. university projects

B.C. moves to weekly COVID-19 reporting

B.C. moves to weekly COVID-19 reporting
A Health Ministry bulletin says the weekly reports will focus on identifying meaningful changes in key COVID-19 measurements and trends over time. It also says that reporting on deaths is changing to count all deaths that occurred within 30 days of the person's positive lab result, regardless of whether the underlying cause of death was found to be linked to COVID-19.

B.C. moves to weekly COVID-19 reporting

Darpan 10 with Kevin Falcon, Leader of the BC Liberals

Darpan 10 with Kevin Falcon, Leader of the BC Liberals
Kevin Falcon, the leader of the BC Liberals is back into the political arena after a decade long hiatus. Find out more on his perspective regarding affordability, housing, vision for his party and much more. 

Darpan 10 with Kevin Falcon, Leader of the BC Liberals

Woman assaulted and held against her will in a moving vehicle

Woman assaulted and held against her will in a moving vehicle
The passenger in the vehicle, who was the victim of this alleged assault, was actively trying to exit the vehicle, and get the attention of other motorists by using hand signals and calling out for help. The victim is described as having short dark hair and wearing a red sweatshirt, black jacket, and blue jeans at the time of the assault.

Woman assaulted and held against her will in a moving vehicle

New rules for convicted elected officials in B.C.

New rules for convicted elected officials in B.C.
A statement from the ministry says the legislative changes will give municipalities and regional districts two separate but related options when a politician is either charged with or found guilty of a criminal offence.

New rules for convicted elected officials in B.C.

Drug users roll up sleeves for COVID vaccines

Drug users roll up sleeves for COVID vaccines
Karen Ward said a study that showed high vaccine uptake in the neighbourhood also suggests a co-ordinated strategy can work with a marginalized group that sometimes faces discrimination in the health-care system.

Drug users roll up sleeves for COVID vaccines