The federal Conservative leadership race is officially underway to replace Andrew Scheer.
Party members will select a new leader on June 27th.
Numerous names are being tossed around as potential candidates.
Mount Allison University Canadian Politics professor Mario Levesque says the two strongest candidates are Rona Ambrose and John Baird.
However, Levesque says Ambrose has kind of indicated that she’s not interested in the job, while Baird has been quiet since leaving politics.
Levesque says Ottawa area MP Pierre Pollievre may be young and dynamic but he doesn’t think he’s ready.
He adds Jean Charest might be a former Conservative leader and a Quebec Liberal premier but adds any comeback he’s planning would go nowhere.
Levesque says a relatively unknown Quebec-born businessman named Bryan Brulotte has just tossed his hat into the ring.
“He used to help out with Peter McKay and his former leadership bid years ago. So, Bryan’s in there now which maybe is an indication that Peter McKay is not in there. But Peter McKay always remains an outsider. He’s got a lot of baggage he has to deal with as well.”
Levesque adds MacKay is well-known in Atlantic Canada but doubts if western Conservatives would accept him.
Currently dominated by men, Levesque hopes more women will enter the race to see what kind of new ideas can be brought forward.
John Baird is also being considered as a potential candidate.
(Photo: Mario Levesque)
