The race for the interim leader of the Conservative Party is gearing up, as more MPs throw their names into the hat for the job.
On Monday, former veterans affairs minister Erin O’Toole became the latest MP to announce his candidacy for the position.
In an interview with the Canadian Press, O’Toole -- a former air force captain and lawyer who entered politics in a 2012 byelection -- acknowledged the need for the Conservative Party to rebuild itself. He said the interim leader must play an important role in that process.
"We need to show that we're bringing a new approach. I think we can get that out of the gate and start rebuilding, and then whoever wins the leadership can take over a unified, strong party that's ready to be serious in four years.”
O’Toole faces competition from longtime MPs and former cabinet ministers Rob Nicholson and Diane Finley; MP Michelle Rempel is also considering a run.
Speaking to CTV’s Power Play, Norman Spector, former chief of staff to Brian Mulroney, said he thinks longtime Conservative MP and high-profile cabinet minister Jason Kenney is best-suited for the interim job.
“I think he would hold Mr. Trudeau to account in the House of Commons,” said Spector. “I think if the Conservatives are smart; I think they’ll put their best skater on the ice for the first period.”
Former senior advisor to Stephen Harper, Keith Beardsley, agreed that Kenney would be an “excellent choice,” but said that would mean he can’t run to be the actual leader. He suggested Finley for interim if Kenney, as suspected, goes for the leadership bid.
The new leader will replace Harper, who announced his resignation from the top job when his party lost the election on Oct. 19.
Both Spector and Beardsley agreed the party needs to take its time in choosing a new leader.
“Give people a chance to actually check the grass and see if ‘Should I run? Should I not run?’” said Beardsley. “And then take their time and elect somebody, I would say, a little bit more to the centre.”
But former Conservative-turned-Liberal Bill Casey says there is no progressive influence left in the Conservative Party from the merger days between the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservatives. Casey successfully ran as a Liberal in the most recent election, and will represent the Nova Scotia riding of Cumberland-Colchester.
“It’s not the same at all. There is no progressive influence there. In fact, they don’t like word ‘progressive,’” Casey told Power Play.
It’s unclear when the Conservatives will choose an interim leader, but there’s already tension around the party’s first post-election caucus meeting. According to the Canadian Press, backlash erupted over news that a caucus meeting wouldn’t be held until mid-to-late November and rumours that it would exclude defeated MPs. The party is considering holding a Parliament Hill caucus meeting on Nov. 5, according to CP.
With files from the Canadian Press
