United Party of Canada promises fiscally conservative, unifying approach

A brand-new federal party says it wants to replace partisan bickering with practical solutions, arguing Canadians are ready for fiscal discipline, individual freedoms, and a renewed sense of national purpose.

The United Party of Canada, officially registered last year, made its first appearance in the Durham, ON, byelection that followed former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole’s resignation.

Founder and leader Grant Abraham, a lawyer and author, says he built the party after concluding the Conservatives had “walked away” from social conservatives and abandoned “principled debate.”

The party brands itself as “grassroots” and “fiscally conservative,” arguing balanced books must go hand-in-hand with environmental stewardship so future generations gain both prosperity and a healthy planet.

The United Party welcomes voters from every political stripe, including people who skipped recent elections or feel ignored by the major parties. 

Its platform highlights freedom of speech, assembly, and self-determination, paired with what it calls the duty to use those rights responsibly.

Abraham says the ultimate aim is to restart the relationship between indigenous, French, British, and other immigrant communities, and to end what he calls “wedge politics” in Parliament.

The United Party has begun forming riding associations across the country and has 16 candidates for this federal election. 

The same number of candidates as the Libertarian Party.

Elections Canada records show the party is fully registered, allowing it to issue tax receipts and spend public funding under the same rules as other federal parties.

Small parties rarely win seats, but can influence debate by forcing bigger parties to address ideas that otherwise might be ignored.

Abraham remains optimistic that the United Party will have a strong showing in the ridings where it is fielding candidates.