Conservative Party of Canada leadership election, 2017

Conservative leadership election, 2017

Date	May 27, 2017
Convention	TBD
Resigning leader	Stephen Harper
Won by	TBD
Entrance Fee	C$100,000 ($50,000 of which is a refundable compliance deposit)[1]
Spending limit	$5,000,000

The 2017 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election will be held on May 27, 2017 to choose a successor to Stephen Harper, who led the Conservative Party of Canada as its first leader from 2004 following the merger of the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative parties. Harper led the party through five general elections: the party increased its seat count in the House of Commons in 2004, formed two minority governments in 2006, and 2008, and then a majority government in 2011. Following the defeat of his party in the October 19, 2015 election, Harper tendered his resignation as party leader on election night.^[2] In a statement, Conservative Party President John Walsh said he had spoken to Harper, "and he has instructed me to reach out to the newly elected parliamentary caucus to appoint an Interim Leader and to implement the leadership selection process."^[3]

Interim leadership

Conservative Party president John Walsh's letter to caucus stated that only Members of Parliament (MPs) would vote for the interim leader, but Conservative Senators pointed out that the party constitution states that the entire parliamentary caucus votes.^[4][5] The caucus allowed Senators to vote, declining to adopt the provisions of the Reform Act that would have only allowed MPs to vote.^[6][7]

The caucus chose Rona Ambrose, MP for Sturgeon River—Parkland, Alberta and former Minister of Health, as interim leader at its first meeting on November 5, 2015 in a vote by preferential ballot.^[8][9][10] Ambrose, as the interim leader, will also serve as Leader of the Official Opposition in the Parliament of Canada until a permanent leader is chosen. She defeated Candice Bergen, Diane Finley, Mike Lake, Rob Nicholson, Erin O'Toole, and the joint ticket of Denis Lebel and Michelle Rempel in the caucus vote.^{[11][12][13][10][14]}

Under the party's constitution, Ambrose, as the interim leader, may not run for the permanent position.^[12]

Leadership election timing

Following Harper's resignation, debate emerged within the Conservative Party regarding the timing of the leadership election. Initially, some members of the party’s national council were calling for a leadership convention as early as May 2016 according to Maclean's magazine.^[15] However, interim leader Rona Ambrose has said there is a consensus among the party's caucus that the leadership election shouldn't be rushed and should be held sometime in 2017.^{[16][17][17][18]} In a December 2015 interview, Ambrose said the party will take its time allowing all members, including those not already involved in politics, to build a strong candidacy. "If we take a little extra time, that will mean we'll have a better leadership race,"^[19]

The Conservative Party's Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC) met at Toronto's Albany Club January 15–17, 2016 to discuss the process for the Party to elect its next leader. Among its decisions, LEOC selected May 27, 2017 for Conservative Party members to elect their next leader.^[20]

Rules

Only party members will be allowed to vote.^[21] The fee for a party membership was raised to $25 from $15, an increase that was reversed on April 23, 2016 after criticisms that the move was "elitist".^[22] Membership fees can only be paid via personal cheque or credit card. Cash payments will not be permitted. This new requirement is intended to prevent the election being dominated by new members, and to prevent anyone other than the individual member, such as a candidate's campaign, from signing up scores of members and paying the membership fees in cash out of campaign funds.^[23]

Candidates must be members of the party for at least six months in order to be eligible. Voting will be on a One Member One Vote basis using a ranked ballot; however votes will be calculated so that each electoral district have equal weight with each electoral district allocated 100 points. Candidates will be assigned a point total based on his or her percentage of the vote in each electoral district. To win, a candidate must receive at least 16,901 points which would be a majority.^[24][1]

To register, candidates must submit nomination forms signed by 300 party members from at least 30 electoral districts in at least seven different provinces and territories as well as pay a $50,000 non-refundable deposit and an additional $50,000 compliance deposit which is refundable provided the candidate complies with campaign rules, and fill out a 40 page questionnaire that asks for references, criminal background and credit checks, agreement with basic party principles, a list of social media accounts, and questions about possible controversial positions the candidate has taken in the past as well as affiliations and personal associations and behaviour that may be problematic. A party committee reviews the candidate's nomination form and may disqualify a potential candidate.^[25] Candidates are allowed to spend a maximum of $5 million on their campaigns.^[26]

Timeline

• October 19, 2015 – Federal election results in defeat of Conservative government. As Harper spoke to supporters in Calgary, making no reference to his future, a statement was released by the party announcing Harper's resignation as party leader and his request that an interim leader be chosen to lead the party in parliament until a leadership election can be held.^[2]
• November 4, 2015 – Harper resigns as prime minister; Liberal government led by Justin Trudeau sworn in.^[27]
• November 5, 2015 – Conservative caucus held its first meeting since the 2015 federal election^[28] and chose former health minister^[29] Rona Ambrose interim leader of the party.^[4]
• December 4–5, 2015 – National Council meets, 20-member Leadership Election Organization Committee appointed, including seven members of the National Council and MP Diane Finley, all of whom have pledged to be neutral during the leadership campaign; Dan Nowlan is appointed the committee's chair.^[16][17]
• January 15–17, 2016 – The Leadership Election Organization Committee meets at the Albany Club in Toronto to decide on the date of the leadership vote, the deadline for candidates to be nominated, campaign spending limits, the entrance fee for candidates and the appeals process for any disputes.^[30]
• May 26–28, 2016 – Conservative Party national policy convention, to be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre, will vote on policy and elect party president and other officials.^[17]
• February 24, 2017, 5pm ET (UTC-5) – Nomination period closes.^[1]
• March 28, 2017, 5pm ET (UTC-5) – Membership deadline.^[1]
• May 27, 2017 – Leadership election is held.^[20]

Candidates

Maxime Bernier

Maxime Bernier

Background

Maxime Bernier, 53, is the MP for Beauce, Quebec (2006–present) and Shadow Minister of Innovation (2015—2016). He served in the Harper government as Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism (2011–2015), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2007–2008), and Minister of Industry (2006–2007),^{[31][32][33][34]} Bernier is considered a libertarian and advocate of limited government.^[35][36][37] Prior to entering federal politics in 2006 Bernier, a lawyer by training, was vice-president of the Standard Life of Canada Insurance company and manager of corporate and international relations at the Commission des valeurs mobilières du Québec.^[38]

Date candidacy announced: April 7, 2016^[39]

Campaign website: www.maxime2017.ca

Supporters

• MPs: Jacques Gourde (Lévis—Lotbinière)^[40]
• Senators:
• Provincial politicians:
• Other prominent individuals:

Other information

• Supports the legalization/decriminalization of marijuana.^[41] Wants to end corporate welfare

Kellie Leitch

Kellie Leitch

Background

Kellie Leitch, 45, is the MP for Simcoe—Grey, Ontario (2011–present), and Shadow Minister of Health (2015–2016). In the Harper cabinet she was Minister of Labour and the Status of Women (2013–2015)^{[33][34][42][43][44][45]} She is an orthopaedic pediatric surgeon at SickKids Hospital and is an associate professor at the University of Toronto.^[46]

Date campaign announced: April 6, 2016^[47]

Campaign website: [http:// ]

Supporters

• MPs:
• Senators:
• Provincial politicians:
• Other prominent individuals:

Other information

• Opposes the legalization/decriminalization of marijuana.^[41]

Potential candidates

Publicly expressed interest

• 

  Michael Chong, MP for Wellington—Halton Hills, Ontario (2004–present), Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Youth (2006) and Minister of Sport (2006)^[1][2]

• 

  Tony Clement, Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs (2015–present), MP for Parry Sound—Muskoka, Ontario (2006–present), President of the Treasury Board (2011–2015), Minister of Industry (2008–2011), Minister of Health (2006–2008), 2004 leadership candidate, Ontario MPP (1995–2003) and provincial cabinet minister (1997–2003).^{[3][4][5][6][7]}

• 

  Doug Ford, businessman, Toronto City Councillor (2010–2014), second place candidate in Toronto mayoral election (2014)^[3][5][8]

• 

  Jason Kenney, Chair of Shadow Cabinet Committee on Strategic Operations, MP for Calgary Midnapore, Alberta (2015–present) and Calgary Southeast, Alberta (1997–2015), Minister of National Defence (2015), Minister for Multiculturalism (2013–2015), Minister of Employment and Social Development (2013–2015), Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (2008–2013)^{[3][5][9][10]}

• 

  Peter MacKay, MP for Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, Nova Scotia (1997–2004) and Central Nova, Nova Scotia (2004–2015), Minister of Justice and Attorney General (2013–2015), Minister of National Defence (2007–2013), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2006–2007), Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party (2003)^{[3][5][6][11]}

• 

  Kevin O'Leary, entrepreneur, financier, and broadcaster.^[5][12]

• 

  Erin O'Toole, Shadow Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (2015–present), MP for Durham (2012–present), Minister of Veterans Affairs (2015–2016)^[13][14]

• 

  Lisa Raitt, Shadow Minister of Finance (2015–present), MP for Milton, Ontario (2015–present) and Halton, Ontario (2008–2015), Minister of Transport (2013–2015), Minister of Labour (2010–2013), Minister of Natural Resources (2008–2010), President and CEO of the Toronto Port Authority (2002–2008)^{[3][5][15][16]}

• 

  Michelle Rempel, Shadow Minister of Immigration (2015–present), MP for Calgary Nose Hill, Alberta (2015–present) and Calgary Centre-North, Alberta (2011–2015), Minister of Western Economic Diversification (2013–2015)^[5][17][18]

1. ^ "Popular MP Chong considering Conservative leadership bid". Guelph Mercury. January 18, 2016.
2. ^ "Why Michael Chong would be a good fit as Conservative leader". The Globe and Mail. November 18, 2015.
3. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Who will replace Steven Harper as leader of the Conservatives?". National Post. October 20, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
4. ^ Cite error: The named reference bern was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
5. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Cite error: The named reference CPCRace114 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
6. ^ ^{a b} "Tories face question of Harper’s replacement". The Hill Times. October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
7. ^ "Clement on possible leadership bid: "Fools rush in"". iPoliitics. January 19, 2016.
8. ^ "Doug Ford supports Harper, but would consider Conservative Party leadership". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
9. ^ "Election results promise repercussions for all party leaders". Chronicle-Herald. October 18, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
10. ^ "‘Not ruling it out’: Jason Kenney weighing Conservative leadership bid but ‘not close’ to a decision yet". National Post. April 29, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
11. ^ "Peter MacKay won’t rule out Conservative leadership run". Globe and Mail. January 25, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
12. ^ "Kevin O'Leary circling as key Conservatives test Tory leadership waters". CBC News. January 14, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
13. ^ Den Tandt, Michael (March 11, 2016). "Michael Den Tandt: Best leader for Tories might be the one they already have". National Post.
14. ^ Muise, Monique (March 27, 2016). "Plane Talk: Erin O’Toole on his possible leadership run". Global News. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
15. ^ Cite error: The named reference clem was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
16. ^ "10 possible contenders as Conservatives plan leadership race". CTV News. January 14, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
17. ^ "Michelle Rempel considers a run for leadership of the Conservative Party, talks being a young woman in politics". Storify. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
18. ^ "Michelle Rempel and the new conservatism". Toronto Sun. Postmedia Network. December 12, 2015. Retrieved December 19, 2015.

Other prospective candidates

• 

  Gérard Deltell, Shadow Minister of Employment and Workforce Labour (2015—present), MP for Louis-Saint-Laurent, Quebec (2015–present), Quebec MNA for Chauveau (2008–2015) and leader of the Action démocratique du Québec (2009–2012).^[1][2]

• 

  Rob Nicholson, Shadow Minister of Justice and Attorney General (2015–present), MP for Niagara Falls (1984–1993, 2004–present), Minister for Democratic Reform (2006–2007), Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (2006–2007), Minister of Justice and Attorney General (2007–2013), Minister of National Defence (2013–2015), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2015) and Shadow Minister of Justice and Attorney General (2015–present)^[3]

• 

  Deepak Obhrai, Shadow Minister for International Development (2015–present), MP for Calgary Forest Lawn, Alberta (2015–present) and Calgary East, Alberta (1997–2015), Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs (2006–2015) and current Dean of the Conservative Caucus. ^[4]

• 

  Pierre Poilievre, Shadow President of Treasury Board (2015–present) MP for Carleton, Ontario (2015–present) and Nepean—Carleton, Ontario (2004–2015), Minister of Employment and Social Development (2015), Minister for Democratic Reform (2013–2015)^[5]

• 

  Andrew Scheer, Opposition House Leader (2015–present), MP for Regina—Qu'Appelle (2004–present), Speaker of the House of Commons (2011–2015)^[6]

• 

  Brad Wall, Premier of Saskatchewan (2007–present), Leader of the Saskatchewan Party (2004–present). While Wall has declined interest, speculation persists that he may declare his candidacy for the federal leadership after the Saskatchewan general election of April 4, 2016 in which Wall's government was elected to a third successive majority government.^{[7][8][9][10][11][12]}

1. ^ LeBlanc, Daniel (March 7, 2016). "Rookie MP Gérard Deltell a rising Conservative star". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
2. ^ Simpson, Jeffrey (March 26, 2016). "A Quebec newcomer could tick the Tory leadership boxes". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
3. ^ "Potential Conservative leadership candidates mull runs, muse publicly". The Canadian Press.
4. ^ "Power Play: Concerns with Conservatives". CTVNews. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
5. ^ Cite error: The named reference who was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
6. ^ Levitz, Stephanie (February 27, 2016). "Potential Tory leaderships candidates test the waters at weekend conference". National Newswatch. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
7. ^ Cite error: The named reference CPCRace114 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
8. ^ "Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and the federal Conservative leadership: What comes next, if anything?". Regina Leader-Post. November 28, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
9. ^ "Premier Brad Wall says he won’t run for Conservative leadership". Regina Leader-Post. October 20, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
10. ^ "Wall emerges as hypothetical front-runner in Tory leadership race". Yahoo News. December 2, 2015.
11. ^ "Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and the federal Conservative leadership: What comes next, if anything?". Regina Leader Post. November 28, 2015.
12. ^ Harper, Tim (December 6, 2015). "The shining conservative star". Cape Breton Post. Torstar Syndication Services. Retrieved December 7, 2015.

Declined

• Rona Ambrose – Interim Leader of the CPC and Leader of the Official Opposition (2015–present), MP for Sturgeon River—Parkland (2015–present) and Edmonton—Spruce Grove, Alberta (2004–2015), Minister of Health (2013–2015), Minister of Public Works and Government Services (2010–2013), Minister of Labour (2008–2010), Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs (2007–2008), Minister of the Environment (2006–2007).^[48] Ambrose is currently barred from running for permanent leader due to her position as interim leader and has declined interest in the permanent position. Nevertheless, published reports speculate there may be a "Draft Ambrose" movement if party members are dissatisfied with the field of leadership candidates.^[49]
• John Baird – MP for Ottawa West—Nepean, Ontario (2006–2015), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2011–2015), Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (2010–2011), Minister of the Environment (2007–2008, 2010–2011), Minister of Transport (2008–2010), President of the Treasury Board, (2006–2007), Ontario Progressive Conservative Party MPP (1995–2005) and provincial cabinet minister (1999–2003).^[50][51]
• Steven Blaney – MP for Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis (2015–present) and Lévis—Bellechasse (2006–2015), Shadow Minister of Public Works and Government Services (2015–present), Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (2013–2015), Minister of Veterans Affairs (2011–2013)^[52]
• Jean Charest – Premier of Quebec (2003–2012), Leader of the Quebec Liberal Party (1998–2012), Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada (1993–1998), Deputy Prime Minister of Canada (1993), Minister of the Environment (1991–1993), MP for Sherbrooke (1984–1998)^[53]
• Christy Clark – Premier of British Columbia (2011–present), Leader of the B.C. Liberal Party (2011–present)^[54][55]
• Bernard Lord – Premier of New Brunswick (1999–2006), Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick (1997–2006)^[31][56]
• Caroline Mulroney Lapham – investment management executive, daughter of former prime minister Brian Mulroney.^[57][58]
• Mark Mulroney – head of capital equity markets at the National Bank of Canada, son of former prime minister Brian Mulroney.^[59]
• James Moore – MP for Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, British Columbia (2000–2004) and Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, British Columbia (2004–2015), Minister of Industry (2013–2015), Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages (2008–2013). Elected as a Canadian Alliance MP in 2000.^[31][60]
• Scott Reid – Shadow Minister of Democratic Institutions (2015–present), MP for Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, Ontario (2015–present), Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, Ontario (2004–2015) and Lanark—Carleton, Ontario (2000–2004)^[61]

Opinion polling

The polls below were conducted before nominations for the leadership closed and therefore include potential candidates for the leadership race. Rona Ambrose, as interim leader, is ineligible to run for the permanent leadership unless there is a change to the party's constitution.

Conservative Party members

Polling firm	Last date of polling	Link	Sample size	Margin of error	Rona Ambrose	Maxime Bernier	Michael Chong	Tony Clement	Jason Kenney	Kellie Leitch	Peter MacKay	Kevin O'Leary	Lisa Raitt	Other/ Undecided
Forum Research	April 5, 2016	PDF	112	± 3.0%	9%	9%	—	—	7%	1%	20%	28%	2%	Someone else 24%

Conservative Party supporters

Polling firm	Last date of polling	Link	Sample size	Margin of error	Rona Ambrose	Maxime Bernier	Michael Chong	Tony Clement	Jason Kenney	Kellie Leitch	Peter MacKay	Kevin O'Leary	Lisa Raitt	Other/ Undecided
Mainstreet Research	April 26-27, 2016	[62]	1,676	± 2.4%	26%	6%	3%	7%	6%	2%	16%	20%	1%	Someone else 3% Undecided 10%
Mainstreet Research	April 26-27, 2016	[63]	1,676	± 2.4%	—	8%	5%	8%	7%	4%	23%	22%	3%	Someone else 4% Undecided 16%
EKOS	April 15, 2016	HTML	1,176	± 2.9%	—	4%	—	—	—	2%	23%	17%	5%	Stephen Harper 28% Someone else 17% Don't know 5%
Forum Research	April 5, 2016	PDF	408	± 3.0%	17%	5%	—	—	8%	1%	22%	24%	4%	Someone else 19%
Abacus Data	March 18, 2016	HTML	1,500	± 2.6%	—	5%	5%	6%	12%	1%	36%	27%	8%	—
Mainstreet Research	January 15, 2016	HTML	4,937	± 1.4%	—	4%	—	—	8%	3%	25%	23%	4%	Undecided 29% Someone else 3%
Abacus Data	January 12, 2016	HTML	1,500	± 2.6%	—	5%	—	13%	19%	4%	42%	—	13%	Bernard Lord 5%
Abacus Data	November 25, 2015	HTML	360	± 2.6%	—	6%	3%	—	12%	3%	35%	—	8%	Brad Wall 17% Jean Charest 11% Doug Ford 4%
Forum Research	November 7, 2015	PDF	334	± 3.0%	12%	—	—	7%	16%	4%	32%	—	—	John Baird 18% Michelle Rempel 7% Rob Nicholson 4%

All Canadians

Polling firm	Last date of polling	Link	Sample size	Margin of error	Rona Ambrose	Maxime Bernier	Michael Chong	Tony Clement	Jason Kenney	Kellie Leitch	Peter MacKay	Kevin O'Leary	Lisa Raitt	Other/ Undecided
EKOS	April 15, 2016	HTML	1,176	± 2.9%	—	6%	—	—	—	3%	20%	9%	4%	Someone else 36% Don't know 13% Stephen Harper 11%
Forum Research	April 5, 2016	PDF	1,455	± 3.0%	10%	9%	—	—	6%	2%	18%	14%	6%	Someone else 35%
Abacus Data	March 18, 2016	HTML	1,500	± 2.6%	—	10%	6%	9%	8%	3%	33%	18%	12%	—
Abacus Data	November 25, 2015	HTML	360	± 2.6%	—	8%	7%	—	10%	4%	31%	—	10%	Jean Charest 15% Brad Wall 9% Doug Ford 8%
Forum Research	November 7, 2015	PDF	334	± 3.0%	14%	—	—	7%	11%	9%	29%	—	—	John Baird 14% Michelle Rempel 11% Rob Nicholson 6%

References

1. http://www.conservative.ca/media/documents/LEOC_2016_EN.pdf
2. "Stephen Harper resigns as Conservative leader". CTV News. October 19, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
3. "Stephen Harper resigns as Conservative leader". CTVNews. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
4. "@Kady: Tory senators (probably) won't be left out of interim leadership vote". Ottawa Citizen. October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
5. "Conservative Senator to challenge party brass over interim leadership selection rules". The Hill Times. October 22, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
6. "Michael Chong urges MPs to 'reclaim their influence' as Reform Act takes effect". CBC News. October 27, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
7. "Rona Ambrose elected interim Conservative leader". Radio Canada International. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
8. "Rona Ambrose elected interim Conservative leader". CTVNews. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
9. "Conservatives to vote for interim leader Nov. 5, still at odds over rules". ipolitics.ca. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
10. "Erin O'Toole To Run For Interim Conservative Leadership". Huffington Post. Canadian Press. October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
11. "Manitoba's Candice Bergen joins Conservative interim leadership contest". CBC News. October 27, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
12. Spiteri, Ray (October 23, 2015). "Rob Nicholson wants to become interim leader of the federal Conservatives". National Post. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
13. "Rona Ambrose, Mike Lake to run for Conservative interim leadership". Maclean's. October 30, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
14. "Here’s something new: Rempel and Lebel want to be co-leaders of the Tories". David Akin's On the Hill. October 31, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
15. Paul Wells. "Conservative caucus unrest mounts". Macleans.ca. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
16. Ditchburn, Jennifer (December 7, 2015). "Conservative leadership committee struck, plan to set voting date soon". Yahoo! News. Canadian Press. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
17. "Conservative Leadership Race: Tories May Put Off Vote Until 2017". Huffington Post. Canadian Press. November 29, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
18. The Hill Times. "Conservative MPs calling on party to hold leadership convention in spring 2017". hilltimes.com. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
19. "Political lookahead: What's in store for the major parties in 2016". CTVNews. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
20. "Mark your calendars, federal Conservatives: You’ll be electing a new leader on May 27, 2017". National Post. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
21. "Conservative Party to choose next leader May 27, 2017". Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. January 19, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
22. "Conservative party lowers membership fees amid pressure". CTVNews. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
23. "Rule change could have implications for Conservative leadership race". Globe and Mail. 12 February 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
24. "Conservatives issue rules for leadership contest to replace Stephen Harper". cbc.ca. March 9, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
25. "Detailed questionnaire greets would-be Conservative leadership candidates". Times Colonist. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
26. "Kellie Leitch first to launch campaign in Conservative leadership race". thestar.com. April 6, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
27. "Lifting the curtain on Harper's covert exit strategy". Ottawa Citizen. October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
28. "Conservatives select Rona Ambrose as interim leader". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
29. The Canadian Press (November 6, 2015). "Rona Ambrose named interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada". National Post. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
30. "Conservative leadership contest fractious before race begins". National Post. January 15, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
32. "Conservative Party leadership race: Beauce MP Maxime Bernier hints at bid". cbc.ca. November 15, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
33. "Maxime Bernier Preparing Bid For Conservative Party Leadership". Huffington Post. December 19, 2015. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
34. Dehaas, Josh. "10 possible contenders as Conservatives plan leadership race". CTVNews. CTV. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
35. "Maxime Bernier: Ottawa should quit intruding on provincial lurisdiction". National Post. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
36. Taber, Jane (10 September 2010). "Maxime Bernier breaks ranks on arena funding". Globe and Mail. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
37. "Maxime Bernier wants to have an adult conversation". Globe and Mail. 17 October 2010. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
38. "Biography". Maxime Bernier. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
39. "Quebec MP Maxime Bernier officially enters Conservative leadership race". thestar.com. April 7, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
40. "« C'est la course de ma vie » - Maxime Bernier". Le Huffington Post. Retrieved 2016-04-07.
41. "Cracks appear in Tory policy on legal pot as leadership race heats up". www.cbc.ca. Retrieved 2016-04-18.
43. Campion-Smith, Bruce (December 12, 2015). "Tony Clement organizers meet to discuss possible leadership bid". The Toronto Star. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
44. Wells, Paul (October 23, 2015). "Conservative caucus unrest mounts". Maclean's. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
45. "Kellie Leitch mulling run for Conservative leadership". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
46. "Genome Canada-Board of Directors". Ottawa: Genome Canada. 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-10-25. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
47. "Kellie Leitch, Maxime Bernier enter Conservative leadership race". CTVNews. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
48. "Buzz begins over Harper's replacement". thestarphoenix.com. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
50. "Ex-foreign affairs minister John Baird considering bid for Tory leadership". Globe and Mail. October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
51. "John Baird will not seek leadership of Conservative Party of Canada (Press Release)". Canada NewsWire. October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
52. Stephanie Levitz (April 5, 2016). "Leadership races gears up as Tories plan convention-floor tribute to Harper". Global News. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
53. "Jean Charest quashes rumours of Conservative leadership bid to replace Stephen Harper". CBC News. October 22, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
54. "Christy Clark mentioned to replace Harper as Conservative leader". CTV News. October 20, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
55. "B.C. Premier Christy Clark rejects Conservative leadership bid". CBC News. October 20, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
56. "Bernard Lord won't seek federal Conservative leadership". CBC News. October 21, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
57. Blizzard, Christina (December 14, 2015). "Caroline Mulroney Lapham could be Tories' heir apparent". Toronto Sun. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
58. Blizzard, Christina (December 15, 2015). "Caroline Mulroney says politics isn't her priority". Toronto Sun. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
59. "Mark Mulroney Says No To Tory Leadership Bid, For Now". Huffington Post. Canadian Press. October 22, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
60. "James Moore calls for a more inclusive Conservative leader". Vancouver Sun. October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
61. "Reid re-elected but ends up back in opposition". insideottawavalley.com. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
62. Conservative Leadership Poll, National Post page A4, April 29, 2016