CPC leadership contender Erin O’Toole opted for a Churchill-esque military-laden plea while Derek Sloan pulled no punches Sunday in call for the Tory leadership contest to be stopped..“We are in unprecedented times for our country – the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis seem daunting but history shows us we can overcome insurmountable odds when we work together as Canadians,” O’Toole said in a video on Sunday..O’Toole made a proposal for the CPC leadership committee to delay the leadership contest to ensure caucus and party members could instead focus on the needs of their communities during this crisis. He also asked the same to devote resources to their communities. Third, O’Toole asked for the federal government to form an all-party committee to deal with the crisis..“Today I’m proposing we put the needs of our fellow citizens first,” O’Toole said..Marilyn Gladu, without an official statement, tweeted her apparent agreement with O’Toole’s message..Derek Sloan, an Ontario MP, seemed to echo criticisms of constituents..“We must delay this Conservative Party leadership vote. We must delay, and do it now,” Sloan said in an email Saturday..“The party appears to the public to be completely tone-deaf in persisting with this leadership campaign, and this situation will get worse. The party is looking increasingly insensitive and our brand is being damaged”..“In-person meetings are now impossible, limiting campaigning to online efforts. Do you really want to get several emails EVERY DAY from candidates? And there will be zero opportunity for face-to-face interaction with anyone. The democratic process is suffering and there is no excuse for it when a delay would solve this problem”..“(Lastly, donations) are required for political campaigns, but doesn’t it seem odd to have candidates soliciting funds during a pandemic when so many are in sudden and unforeseen economic distress?” Sloan asked..Leslyn Lewis, who is also on the final ballot, said that pushing through with a party campaign during a global crisis was an opportunity to show leadership..“The next leader of our party is going to be required to show leadership in a time where Canada is still in the valley created by this pandemic. How you lead and manage a campaign in a time of crisis is very indicative of how you can lead the party, and more importantly, our country in a time of crisis,” Lewis said in statement..“By the time the health portion of this crisis is over, it will have taken a terrible toll on us all. Canada will need a conservative government ready to lead with strength, compassion, and a good dose of common sense.”.Peter MacKay is also intent at this time to continue the race and has also encouraged donors to send money to community organizations – instead of his campaign..MacKay has been holding virtual town halls to answer questions from area constituents during the past few weeks..However, MacKay’s director of communications, Julie Vaux, reportedly left MacKay’s campaign a week ago saying she did not feel it was appropriate to be campaigning during the pandemic..The CPC’s Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC) issued a statement on March 16..“Several (leadership candidates) have made the difficult decision to suspend large gatherings… we’re proud they’re putting the health and well-being of the public first.”.“To date, the LEOC and Party staff are confident that all requirements, key dates, and milestones can be met to continue the race.”.To assist leadership contenders, the LEOC approved online vendors to host virtual town halls and developed an online portal to receive signatures. The committee also said it would hold the debates without an audience present..The committee stated that the CPC had an obligation to ensure a new leader was in place according to the timelines previously set out by the party in January..Rick Peterson – the only candidate from western Canada – dropped out of the race on March 20 due to the LEOC’s refusal to adjust deadlines saying their decision lacked common sense, decency, and was out of line with conservative values..Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean is a Senior Reporter with Western Standard.dmaclean@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter @Mitchell_AB
CPC leadership contender Erin O’Toole opted for a Churchill-esque military-laden plea while Derek Sloan pulled no punches Sunday in call for the Tory leadership contest to be stopped..“We are in unprecedented times for our country – the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis seem daunting but history shows us we can overcome insurmountable odds when we work together as Canadians,” O’Toole said in a video on Sunday..O’Toole made a proposal for the CPC leadership committee to delay the leadership contest to ensure caucus and party members could instead focus on the needs of their communities during this crisis. He also asked the same to devote resources to their communities. Third, O’Toole asked for the federal government to form an all-party committee to deal with the crisis..“Today I’m proposing we put the needs of our fellow citizens first,” O’Toole said..Marilyn Gladu, without an official statement, tweeted her apparent agreement with O’Toole’s message..Derek Sloan, an Ontario MP, seemed to echo criticisms of constituents..“We must delay this Conservative Party leadership vote. We must delay, and do it now,” Sloan said in an email Saturday..“The party appears to the public to be completely tone-deaf in persisting with this leadership campaign, and this situation will get worse. The party is looking increasingly insensitive and our brand is being damaged”..“In-person meetings are now impossible, limiting campaigning to online efforts. Do you really want to get several emails EVERY DAY from candidates? And there will be zero opportunity for face-to-face interaction with anyone. The democratic process is suffering and there is no excuse for it when a delay would solve this problem”..“(Lastly, donations) are required for political campaigns, but doesn’t it seem odd to have candidates soliciting funds during a pandemic when so many are in sudden and unforeseen economic distress?” Sloan asked..Leslyn Lewis, who is also on the final ballot, said that pushing through with a party campaign during a global crisis was an opportunity to show leadership..“The next leader of our party is going to be required to show leadership in a time where Canada is still in the valley created by this pandemic. How you lead and manage a campaign in a time of crisis is very indicative of how you can lead the party, and more importantly, our country in a time of crisis,” Lewis said in statement..“By the time the health portion of this crisis is over, it will have taken a terrible toll on us all. Canada will need a conservative government ready to lead with strength, compassion, and a good dose of common sense.”.Peter MacKay is also intent at this time to continue the race and has also encouraged donors to send money to community organizations – instead of his campaign..MacKay has been holding virtual town halls to answer questions from area constituents during the past few weeks..However, MacKay’s director of communications, Julie Vaux, reportedly left MacKay’s campaign a week ago saying she did not feel it was appropriate to be campaigning during the pandemic..The CPC’s Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC) issued a statement on March 16..“Several (leadership candidates) have made the difficult decision to suspend large gatherings… we’re proud they’re putting the health and well-being of the public first.”.“To date, the LEOC and Party staff are confident that all requirements, key dates, and milestones can be met to continue the race.”.To assist leadership contenders, the LEOC approved online vendors to host virtual town halls and developed an online portal to receive signatures. The committee also said it would hold the debates without an audience present..The committee stated that the CPC had an obligation to ensure a new leader was in place according to the timelines previously set out by the party in January..Rick Peterson – the only candidate from western Canada – dropped out of the race on March 20 due to the LEOC’s refusal to adjust deadlines saying their decision lacked common sense, decency, and was out of line with conservative values..Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean is a Senior Reporter with Western Standard.dmaclean@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter @Mitchell_AB
