Conservative Party of Canada

:Alternative meaning: Conservative Party of Canada (pre-1942)

Aftermath

Two months after Harper's election as national Tory leader, Liberal Party of Canada leader and Prime Minister Paul Martin called a general election for June 28, 2004. However, in the interim between the formation of the new party and the selection of its new leader, factional infighting and investigations into the Sponsorship Scandal reduced the popularity of the governing Liberal Party. This allowed the Conservatives to be more prepared for the race, unlike the 2000 federal election where few predicted the early October election call. For the first time since the 1993 federal election, a Liberal government would have to deal with a united conservative front.

Related Topics:
Liberal Party of Canada - Paul Martin - Sponsorship Scandal - 2000 federal election - 1993 federal election

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The Conservatives did better than expected during the election campaign with polls showing a rise in support for the new Conservative Party, leading some pollsters to predict the election of a minority Conservative government. But even at the peak of its popularity, the new party still had less support than its two predecessor parties combined had in the last election. Off the cuff comments from influential social conservative elements in the new CPC also hindered Harper's efforts at portraying the new party as a reasonable, responsible and moderate alternative to the governing Liberals.

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Several particularly notable controversial comments were made by several CPC MPs during the campaign. Early on in the campaign, Ontario MP Scott Reid indicated his feelings as Tory language critic that the policy of official bilingualism was unrealistic and needed to be reformed. Alberta MP Rob Merrifield suggested as Tory health critic that women ought to have mandatory family counselling before they choose to have an abortion. BC MP Randy White indicated his willingness near the end of the campaign to use the notwithstanding clause of the Canadian Constitution to override the Charter of Rights on the issue of same-sex marriage, and Cheryl Gallant, another Ontario MP, compared abortion to terrorism.

Related Topics:
Scott Reid - Official bilingualism - Rob Merrifield - Abortion - Randy White - Notwithstanding clause - Canadian Constitution - Charter of Rights - Same-sex marriage - Cheryl Gallant - Terrorism

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Harper's new Conservatives emerged from the election with a larger parliamentary caucus of 99 MPs (now 98 MPs) while the Liberals were reduced to a minority government of 133 MPs, requiring the Liberals to obtain support from at least twenty-three opposition MPs in order to guarantee the passage of legislation. Their popular vote, however, was actually lower than the combined Alliance and PC popular vote in the previous federal election. Some political analysts such as former Progressive Conservative pollster Allan Gregg and Toronto Star columnist Chantal Hébert have suggested that the next election could result in a Conservative government if the public perceives that the Conservatives have emerged from their March 2005 policy convention as a moderate and responsible alternative to the Liberals. After the convention, many in the media have already suggested that the Conservatives were successful in moving their party closer towards the center.

Related Topics:
Caucus - Allan Gregg - Toronto Star - Chantal Hébert

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In May 2005, MP Belinda Stronach, a moderate on social issues, surprised many when she crossed the floor from the Conservative Party to join the Liberal Party. Many believe Stronach's departure could damage the Conservative Party's efforts to present a moderate image, particularly in Ontario. Others have raised suspicions about the timing and opportunism of Stronach's decision, noting that she became a cabinet minister immediately after crossing the floor. In addition, numerous Conservatives, such as Ontario Tory MPP Bob Runciman made vitrolic public statements in reaction to this development - such as calling Stronach "a dipstick" - which were roundly condemned as sexist and damaging to the party's attempts to promote a moderate image.

Related Topics:
Belinda Stronach - Crossed the floor - Cabinet minister - Bob Runciman

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In late August and early September 2005, the Tories released ads across Ontario's major television broadcasters that highlighted their most moderate policies towards health care, education and child support. The ads each featured Stephen Harper discussing policy with prominent members of his Shadow Cabinet. Many analysts have suggested that the Tories will use similar ads in the anticipated 2006 federal election, instead of focussing their attacks on the Liberal government as they did in Spring 2005.

Related Topics:
Shadow Cabinet - 2006 federal election

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• For information about the 2004 election including a list of nominated candidates see: Canadian federal election, 2004