The Conservative Party to Elect a New Leader – REALity

REALity Volume XXXV Issue No. 3 March 2016

The Conservative Party of Canada will be choosing its new Leader on May 17, 2017.

Party officials explained that the decision to allow sufficient time before the election of a new leader ensures a competitive race, and a fair and open contest for all potential candidates.

The location of the Leadership Convention has not yet been announced.

The election of the leader will be open to members only.

 It is important, therefore, that those who are conservative and pro-life/family become members of the party in order to ensure that its leader will reflect positive views on life and family. We do not want a leader who is merely a fiscal conservative or libertarian. 

So far, people who have indicated interest in leadership are: Maxime Bernier, (Minister of State, Small Business and Tourism, and Agriculture, in the former Conservative government); Michael Chong; Tony Clement, (former President of the Treasury Board); and Dr. Kellie Leitch, (former Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women); Kevin O’Leary, businessman, journalist and television personality; and Lisa Raitt (former Minister of Transport).

National Convention,Vancouver, May 26 to 28, 2016

In the meantime, the Conservative Party will be holding its National Convention in Vancouver, B.C. on May 26 to 28, 2016.  This Convention will allow grassroots conservatives to meet with MPs and the Leadership Candidates, and to debate policy and constitution amendments to the Party’s governing documents.

This Convention is particularly important because a group of lesbian/gay/bisexual and transgender (LGBT) party members plan to lobby delegates at this Convention to remove the party’s policy against same-sex marriage, passed at the 2013 Conservative Convention. The policy provides that a free vote be held in Parliament, not the courts, to determine the definition of marriage, and that the party supports legislation defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

The policy document, Section 70; Family and Marriage, contains five separate clauses. Two clauses state:

We believe that Parliament, through a free vote, and not the courts should determine the definition of marriage.

We support legislation defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

The LGBT claim that this policy is an obstacle to the acceptance of the Conservative message by voters who would otherwise be attracted to the party on economic, security, and foreign policy issues. The LGBT faction has written to Interim Party Leader, Rona Ambrose, for her assistance in promoting the objective to delete the definition of marriage. Ms. Ambrose has responded that she would welcome a free vote on the party’s position on same-sex marriage.  A free vote on marriage in the present Parliament, with the Liberal and NDP majority, all supporting same-sex marriage, will mean certain defeat for traditional marriage.  Parliament has already approved same-sex marriage; Rona Ambrose, however, is indicating a vote on the party policy definition of marriage.  A free vote on this will take place at the National Convention by its delegates, provided that the resolution to delete the above two clauses goes to the floor, which is likely.

Further, it is debatable that the Conservative policy against same-sex marriage will damage support for the Conservative Party. Such a policy, in fact, will likely increase support for the party among conservative leaning voters because it is the only political party that supports traditional marriage.

To join the Conservative Party and obtain a membership form, visit their website at: http://www.conservative.ca or telephone 1-866-808-8407 to request a party membership or membership renewal. Membership fees are $25 per year or $30 for two years.

To attend the Conservative Party National convention, people must contact their local riding association (called Electoral District Association) to ask when, or if, the delegate selection meeting will take place. You must attend this meeting to be elected as a convention delegate and be prepared to pay your own registration fees. Go to the party website for full details.