Conservative Party of Canada

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

Leadership election

Stephen Harper was chosen as leader of the new party on March 20, 2004, defeating former Ontario provincial Tory Cabinet minister Tony Clement and former Magna International CEO Belinda Stronach on the first ballot.

Related Topics:
Ontario - Provincial Tory - Cabinet - Tony Clement - Magna International - CEO - Belinda Stronach

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Some Conservative activists had hoped to recruit former Ontario Premier Mike Harris for the leadership but he declined, as did New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord and Alberta Premier Ralph Klein. Outgoing Progressive Conservative leader Peter MacKay also announced he would not seek the leadership of the new party as did former Democratic Representative Caucus leader and Canadian Alliance Member of Parliament (MP) Chuck Strahl. 2003 PC leadership contest runner-up Jim Prentice, who entered the new race in mid-December, dropped out in mid-January due to an inability to raise funds so soon after his first unsuccessful leadership bid.

Related Topics:
Premier - Mike Harris - New Brunswick - Bernard Lord - Alberta - Ralph Klein - Peter MacKay - Democratic Representative Caucus - Member of Parliament - Chuck Strahl - 2003 PC leadership contest - Jim Prentice

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See also:

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• Conservative Party of Canada leadership election, 2004
• Progressive Conservative leadership election, 2003
• Canadian Alliance leadership election 2000/2002