Christine Elliott to run for Ontario PC leadership

41 posts / 0 new

Tue, 2014-06-24 17:11

Debater

Jun 24, 2014

Christine Elliott, the deputy leader of the Ontario PCs and widow of federal finance minister Jim Flaherty, will soon announce she will run to replace Tim Hudak as leader of the provincial Progressive Conservatives.

Evan Solomon, host of CBC News Network's Power & Politics, says Elliott will make the announcement on Wednesday.

Elliott has been the member of the legislature for Whitby-Oshawa, a riding east of Toronto, since she won a 2006 byelection. Elliott is a lawyer who practised real estate, corporate and estate law. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario.

Elliott ran against Hudak for the party leadership in 2009 and finished third. Her then-colleague Frank Klees came in second.

Hudak led the Official Opposition PCs to an embarrassing loss on June 12, losing nine seats in an election where the party had expected to at least win a minority government.

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More here:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/christine-elliott-widow-of-jim-flaherty-...

Tue, 2014-06-24 17:12

terrytowel

So we could have three women leaders in Ontario?

We've come a LONG way baby!

Tue, 2014-06-24 18:05

Unionist

I'm trying to imagine how many posts this news could possibly generate in a separate thread. Oh well. As long as Flaherty really is dead and this isn't some trick, I guess I won't get too worked up about it.

Tue, 2014-06-24 18:40

youngsocialist

I hope she runs and loses her own seat.

Tue, 2014-06-24 18:51

onlinediscountanvils

It would take an extraordinary turn of events for her to lose her seat any sooner than 2018.

Tue, 2014-06-24 19:32

David Young

I'm rather surprised at this turn of events.

I was thinking that Elliott would jump to federal politics in the by-election for her husband's old seat and be named to Harper's cabinet to off-set the bad publicity he's been getting for not naming new female cabinet ministers.

Then again, this definitely puts Flaherty's seat into the possible category for the opposition if she's not going to be the federal candidate.

Wed, 2014-06-25 18:47

Debater

Christine Elliott appeared on Power & Politics today and I already think she's more articulate than Tim Hudak. She was very honest about the PC's failings in this election and seemed much more willing to give a frank appraisal of the situation than Andrea Horwath today.

Evan Solomon asked her if she thought about running for Flaherty's federal seat and she said no, she never even talked to the PM about it. She said she thought about federal politics early on, but decided to make provincial politics her home.

Wed, 2014-06-25 18:57

Pogo

Of course she is going to bad mouth the campaign, she running for to replace the leader of that campaign. Pretty different set of circumstances than Horwath.

Wed, 2014-06-25 19:47

Unionist

onlinediscountanvils wrote:

It would take an extraordinary turn of events for her to lose her seat any sooner than 2018.

Oh yeah??

What if Wynne thinks: "By gosh, Andrea was right!!", decides her own budget is worth shit, tables it anyway, and whips her caucus to vote against it, thus creating a confidence crisis and triggering a new election!

Simple.

Wed, 2014-06-25 20:34

#10

onlinediscountanvils

Unionist wrote:

onlinediscountanvils wrote:

It would take an extraordinary turn of events for her to lose her seat any sooner than 2018.

Oh yeah??

What if Wynne thinks: "By gosh, Andrea was right!!", decides her own budget is worth shit, tables it anyway, and whips her caucus to vote against it, thus creating a confidence crisis and triggering a new election!

Simple.

YES!!!

Catchfire wrote:
And cue the great Ontario Election thread cull. Starting with this one. See you in [s] 2018 [/s] July 2014, suckers!

Wed, 2014-06-25 21:42

#11

NDPP

John Baird for PCO gauleiter? The mind boggles...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/john-baird-lisa-raitt-subject-of-ontario...

"Draft Baird"...

Thu, 2014-06-26 12:21

#12

infracaninophile $infracaninophile's picture$

Interesting piece from Kelly Mcparland in the Nat Po today about Christine Elliot's campaign:

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2014/06/26/kelly-mcparland-christine...

...with an interesting sidebar commentary to the effect that Canada has not taken a turn to the right as Ibbitson and others maintain. Worth a read.

Thu, 2014-06-26 12:51

#13

ygtbk

Unionist wrote:

onlinediscountanvils wrote:

It would take an extraordinary turn of events for her to lose her seat any sooner than 2018.

Oh yeah??

What if Wynne thinks: "By gosh, Andrea was right!!", decides her own budget is worth shit, tables it anyway, and whips her caucus to vote against it, thus creating a confidence crisis and triggering a new election!

Simple.

Simple, but I think it would count as extraordinary. (I'm almost sure that's your intent).

Thu, 2014-06-26 17:54

#14

Debater

Canada has taken a turn to the right under Harper, actually. As Paul Wells documents in "The Longer I'm Prime Minister", Harper is very smart because he has been making these changes incrementally rather than by doing them all of a sudden. Harper is smarter than Hudak because he knows how to not scare the voters by appearing safe & secure and he has succeeded in enduring in office year after year like Wells illustrates.

Mon, 2014-09-29 06:50

#15

Debater

Barrie CPC MP Patrick Brown enters PC leadership race (but is getting some criticism for not giving up his seat):

http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/2014/09/28/brown-seeking-ontario-pc-lea...

Wed, 2014-10-01 19:00

#16

Lord Palmerston

There's also Vic Fedeli, who is positioning himself as a Red Tory. If chosen he'd be the first Italian Canadian to lead a major party in Ontario.

http://theagenda.tvo.org/blog/agenda-blogs/and-now-there-are-three-vying...

Wed, 2014-10-01 19:11

#17

Debater

The PC leadership race doesn't seem to be attracting a lot of attention. Even on a political forum like this where we all follow politics closely, look at how few responses this thread has gotten so far.

Wed, 2014-10-01 19:40

#18

Lord Palmerston

Presumably because it looks like Christine Elliott has it in the bag, or from a progressive point of view it makes little difference who the provincial Tories pick as leader.

Wed, 2014-10-01 22:00

#19

Stockholm

There is not much to say at this point - a few people have very gingerly thrown their hats in the ring but the campaign has not begun and they aren't making the choice until next May...so there really isn't much to say - esp. since from the perpscetive of almost anyone on babble - a PC leadership race can be described as "choose your poison"

Thu, 2014-10-02 04:54

#20

Debater

Yes, but for both Liberals & NDPers, the choice of PC leader could have an impact on both parties in the next Ontario election.

The Liberals have been fortunate to have inarticulate, unappealing PC opponents for the past several elections. And the Ontario NDP, while not performing as well as the Ontario Liberals, has been able to improve its fortunes from the Hampton years.

However, if the PC's choose a more articulate & appealing leader who does a more effective job of promoting conservatism, Ontarians may be willing to opt for the PC in larger numbers in 2018. I think Christine Elliot is a more articulate and intelligent speaker and much more appealing than Tim Hudak.

So both Kathleen Wynne and Andrea Horwath could lose ground to her.

Still, early days yet.

Thu, 2014-10-02 12:03

#21

Stockholm

Christine Elliott from what i hear looks good on paper but is actually very dull...there is a reason why she came in THIRD when she ran for the PC leadership last time not just behind Hudak but also behind Frank Klees! I have a hunch Vic Fedeli will win and Wynn e will have to start protecting her right flank since he comes across as quite "genial" and not scary at all.

Thu, 2014-10-02 16:11

#22

Lord Palmerston

Fedeli would be an interesting choice. Could see him not only appealing to the "Red Tory" types that went Liberal in 2011 because Hudak was too scary, but also appealing to the "orange Tory" demographic in SW Ontario that are very anti-Liberal but couldn't stomach Hudak's anti-union stance and went NDP.

Wed, 2014-10-29 12:52

#23

Debater

Ontario Progressive Conservatives brace for possible Doug Ford leadership bid

By The Canadian Press — CP — Oct 29 2014

http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2014/10/29/ontario-progressive-conserva...

Wed, 2014-10-29 13:24

#24

Debater

Doug Ford considering a run for Progressive Conservative leadership

http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/10/28/doug_ford_considering_...

Sat, 2014-11-08 20:38

#25

Lord Palmerston

Wonder if she'll keep Laschinger too.

Sat, 2014-11-08 20:41

#26

terrytowel

Christine has officially taken over Olivia Chow's old campaign office in her run for the PC leadership.

She said she hopes to bring a 'different' energy to the building, that was once occupied by Chow.

Before

After

Sun, 2014-11-09 19:23

#27

Geoff OB

I wonder what impact a PC party led by Christine Elliott would have on the fortunes of the NDP in the 2018 provincial election. The party seat count was unchanged after the last election, when Tim Hudak was Tory leader, so would they lose or gain seats running against Elliott? How much different would the results be for the New Democrats with a new leader, as opposed to Andrea Horwath? Just curious, as the ONDP convention approaches.

Sun, 2014-11-09 22:11

#28

autoworker autoworker's picture

Bill Davis's endorsement is a huge push for her off the mark.

Mon, 2014-11-10 00:50

#29

PrairieDemocrat15

autoworker wrote:
Bill Davis's endorsement is a huge push for her off the mark.

Is the endorsement from a big government socialist really a good thing in today's PC Party?

Mon, 2014-11-10 01:05

#30

Rokossovsky

Geoff OB wrote:

I wonder what impact a PC party led by Christine Elliott would have on the fortunes of the NDP in the 2018 provincial election. The party seat count was unchanged after the last election, when Tim Hudak was Tory leader, so would they lose or gain seats running against Elliott? How much different would the results be for the New Democrats with a new leader, as opposed to Andrea Horwath? Just curious, as the ONDP convention approaches.

I just think that getting all excited about replacing Horwath now is a little premature and rash. There is plenty of time to look at new leaders as the situation evolves, and its quite possible that Horwath might give up on the job going into the next election. I think a lot of this action against Horwath is sour grapes, and an instinct to blame her for a failure of the party generally. I see no reason why Horwath should be humiliated.

Replaced maybe, by some new luminary who comes out of the woodwork in the next few years, but why blame everyting on her, and humiliate her? She has actually done pretty creditable service to the party, doubling its total seat count over her term. The fact that there is a contigent that is so flaming mad that they actually want to humiliate Horwath, says something about her leadership style, however. But she also has a solid core of support so what is the point of going into warfare mode, right now?

The "loss" really was only a "loss" because it was not victory. If Tim Hudak hadn't put a revolver to his head and said openly that he was going to fire 100,000 people in order to "create jobs", then likely the PC seat count would have been higher, and the ONDP would still hold the balance of power.

Its kind of like Horwath is being blamed for the fact that the Progressive Conservative's did everything in their power to lose the election, badly. Hudak deserved humiliation at the hands of his caucus. He was horrible.

Mon, 2014-11-10 08:35

#31

Geoff OB

Rokossovsky wrote:

Geoff OB wrote:

I wonder what impact a PC party led by Christine Elliott would have on the fortunes of the NDP in the 2018 provincial election. The party seat count was unchanged after the last election, when Tim Hudak was Tory leader, so would they lose or gain seats running against Elliott? How much different would the results be for the New Democrats with a new leader, as opposed to Andrea Horwath? Just curious, as the ONDP convention approaches.

I just think that getting all excited about replacing Horwath now is a little premature and rash. There is plenty of time to look at new leaders as the situation evolves, and its quite possible that Horwath might give up on the job going into the next election. I think a lot of this action against Horwath is sour grapes, and an instinct to blame her for a failure of the party generally. I see no reason why Horwath should be humiliated.

Replaced maybe, by some new luminary who comes out of the woodwork in the next few years, but why blame everyting on her, and humiliate her? She has actually done pretty creditable service to the party, doubling its total seat count over her term. The fact that there is a contigent that is so flaming mad that they actually want to humiliate Horwath, says something about her leadership style, however. But she also has a solid core of support so what is the point of going into warfare mode, right now?

The "loss" really was only a "loss" because it was not victory. If Tim Hudak hadn't put a revolver to his head and said openly that he was going to fire 100,000 people in order to "create jobs", then likely the PC seat count would have been higher, and the ONDP would still hold the balance of power.

Its kind of like Horwath is being blamed for the fact that the Progressive Conservative's did everything in their power to lose the election, badly. Hudak deserved humiliation at the hands of his caucus. He was horrible.

My intention wasn't to to criticize Andrea, as there is another thread to discuss her future, as well as the upcoming convention. Rather, I'm curious as to how people think the NDP would fare under a less "radical" conservative leader.

For example, a better PC showing could either turn the next election into a two-party race, leaving the NDP in the dust, or it could take seats away from the Liberals and put Andrea back in the driver's seat with the balance of power. (Please note that I did said Andrea.)

It's early days, I know, but if there was one lesson to be learned for the NDP from this years election results, it's that planning well ahead is not a bad idea, to put it mildly.

Mon, 2014-11-10 10:03

#32

Rokossovsky

Geoff OB wrote:

Rokossovsky wrote:

Geoff OB wrote:

I wonder what impact a PC party led by Christine Elliott would have on the fortunes of the NDP in the 2018 provincial election. The party seat count was unchanged after the last election, when Tim Hudak was Tory leader, so would they lose or gain seats running against Elliott? How much different would the results be for the New Democrats with a new leader, as opposed to Andrea Horwath? Just curious, as the ONDP convention approaches.

I just think that getting all excited about replacing Horwath now is a little premature and rash. There is plenty of time to look at new leaders as the situation evolves, and its quite possible that Horwath might give up on the job going into the next election. I think a lot of this action against Horwath is sour grapes, and an instinct to blame her for a failure of the party generally. I see no reason why Horwath should be humiliated.

Replaced maybe, by some new luminary who comes out of the woodwork in the next few years, but why blame everyting on her, and humiliate her? She has actually done pretty creditable service to the party, doubling its total seat count over her term. The fact that there is a contigent that is so flaming mad that they actually want to humiliate Horwath, says something about her leadership style, however. But she also has a solid core of support so what is the point of going into warfare mode, right now?

The "loss" really was only a "loss" because it was not victory. If Tim Hudak hadn't put a revolver to his head and said openly that he was going to fire 100,000 people in order to "create jobs", then likely the PC seat count would have been higher, and the ONDP would still hold the balance of power.

Its kind of like Horwath is being blamed for the fact that the Progressive Conservative's did everything in their power to lose the election, badly. Hudak deserved humiliation at the hands of his caucus. He was horrible.

My intention wasn't to to criticize Andrea, as there is another thread to discuss her future, as well as the upcoming convention. Rather, I'm curious as to how people think the NDP would fare under a less "radical" conservative leader.

For example, a better PC showing could either turn the next election into a two-party race, leaving the NDP in the dust, or it could take seats away from the Liberals and put Andrea back in the driver's seat with the balance of power. (Please note that I did said Andrea.)

It's early days, I know, but if there was one lesson to be learned for the NDP from this years election results, it's that planning well ahead is not a bad idea, to put it mildly.

That's the problem. A radical Conservative candidate makes it too easy for the Liberals to run right of center as they did last time, and still dismiss the Conservatives as a bunch of wingnut cranks, swaying people away from a more "leftish" vote for the NDP, since they fear Sodom and Gomorrah.

Definitely a more reasonable "John Tory" type leader for the Conservatives is a definite plus for the NDP.

Mon, 2014-11-10 10:11

#33

autoworker autoworker's picture

PrairieDemocrat15 wrote:

autoworker wrote:
Bill Davis's endorsement is a huge push for her off the mark.

Is the endorsement from a big government socialist really a good thing in today's PC Party?

I believe it is for many who held their noses, and elected Wayne's s sordid crew. Besides, Ford Nation is an albatross around the PCs neck. Even conservatives can do better than dangle red meat.

Mon, 2014-11-10 10:28

#34

Rokossovsky

autoworker wrote:
PrairieDemocrat15 wrote:

autoworker wrote:
Bill Davis's endorsement is a huge push for her off the mark.

Is the endorsement from a big government socialist really a good thing in today's PC Party?

I believe it is for many who held their noses, and elected Wayne's s sordid crew. Besides, Ford Nation is an albatross around the PCs neck. Even conservatives can do better than dangle red meat.

A lot of people seem to have missed the fact that the Ontario Liberal Party is one of the most Conservative "Liberal" parties in Canada, historically. McGuinty's great renovation basically consisted of winning over "reasonable" Conservatives like Liz Sandals to the cause because the Harris era "Reform Party" rump was incapable of winning another election.

One really only has to look at the pedigrees of the Blue-Liberals elected to replace NDP reps in Toronto to see that the tradition continues.

No use complaining but that is the political terrain, how to square that circle, and defeat the Liberals while doing a rear guard action against Conservative populism is no easy task. Simply saying that the ONDP needs to get back to its "root values", is a gross oversimplification of the problem.

Tue, 2014-11-11 02:54

#35

Debater

Rokossovsky wrote:

A lot of people seem to have missed the fact that the Ontario Liberal Party is one of the most Conservative "Liberal" parties in Canada, historically.

This is just simply not the case. I get tired of reading the old NDP canard that the Liberals are right-wing. The Liberals are a centrist party. They have elements of fiscal conservatism at times, but are also socially progressive, and believe in public welfare, social programs and protecting the environment to a greater degree than the Conservatives ever will.

The McGuinty Liberals froze university tuition, established better government relations with the teachers & nurses and a whole host of other things that never would have happened under a PC Government.

Now having said that, Ontario is a red tory province. Remember that it was PC for most of its history. This stretch from 2003-2014 is the longest period of time that the Liberals have been in power in Ontario in modern history. Ontario is not a left-wing province, that's why the NDP usually finishes 3rd, both federally & provincially. One has to keep in mind its tory sensibilities. As it is, Kathleen Wynne is considered too left-wing for many as it is. She's been criticized for not making deeper spending cuts.

The Ontario Liberals are not as conservative as the New Brunswick Liberals (a pretty conservative province) or the B.C. "Liberals" (another pretty conservative province). They are probably more conservative than the Quebec Liberals (although Couillard is currently trying to exercise some fiscal conservatism in Quebec).

Btw, don't forget that the Ontario Liberals elected not just the first woman Premier in Ontario history, but the first openly-gay Premier in Canadian history! Pretty good for a 'conservative' party. The NDP hasn't elected a single gay Premier anywhere yet. Why is that? The Ontario Liberals may not be perfect, but they sure have broken new ground in a way that the NDP hasn't yet.

Tue, 2014-11-11 03:09

#36

Rokossovsky

Debater wrote:

Rokossovsky wrote:

A lot of people seem to have missed the fact that the Ontario Liberal Party is one of the most Conservative "Liberal" parties in Canada, historically.

The McGuinty Liberals froze university tuition, established better government relations with the teachers & nurses and a whole host of other things that never would have happened under a PC Government.

That is simply not the case.

In fact the McGuinty Liberals maintained every single major reform of the Harris era, and built on them. This year they even further centralized the adminstration of the Education system, through Bill 122, which neutere the ability of the boards to manage their own budget independent of the ministry by centralizing the negotiation process under terms set by the ministry, so that the Boards practically have no control over what they do with the money alloted to them through the broken per student "funding formula".

That was under Wynne, managed by none other than Liz Sandals as the Minister of Education a former Harris era party organizer for the PCs.

Sandals, is a case in point in describing the right wing shift of the Liberals, where McGuinty co-opted the scurrying rats offloading the sinking PC ship.

Wed, 2015-02-04 14:27

#37

Debater

Vic Fedeli has dropped out of the race to support Christine Elliot:

http://www.standwithchristine.ca/#/vic-fedeli/1

Wed, 2015-02-04 19:28

#38

terrytowel

The musical chairs continue both in Parliment and the legislature of Ontario.

The talk now is MPP Lisa McLeod will drop out of the leadership race to seek the nomination of John Baird soon to be vacant seat.

She represents the riding provincially, and if she were to win this would be a return to Parliment as she is a former Conservative staffer.

She also commutes from Ottawa to Toronto, leaving her your daughter and husband behind. So if she were to win, she and her family can finally stay in one city full time.

Thu, 2015-02-05 16:17

#39

onlinediscountanvils

terrytowel wrote:

The musical chairs continue both in Parliment and the legislature of Ontario.

The talk now is MPP Lisa McLeod will drop out of the leadership race to seek the nomination of John Baird soon to be vacant seat.

She represents the riding provincially, and if she were to win this would be a return to Parliment as she is a former Conservative staffer.

She also commutes from Ottawa to Toronto, leaving her your daughter and husband behind. So if she were to win, she and her family can finally stay in one city full time.

CBC Ottawa just tweeted that Lisa MacLeod will be making a "special announcement" tomorrow morning.

Thu, 2015-02-05 16:36

#40

robbie_dee

MacLeod actually represents the suburban riding of Nepean-Carlton which is much more solidly Conservative than Baird's federal Ottawa West-Nepean seat. Liberal Bob Chiarelli holds the corresponding provincial seat and the Liberals are likely eying the federal seat as a possible pick-up now Baird's gone.

Note that there's been some boundary changes in the Ottawa area and a new suburban seat opening up in the area as well but I think Ottawa West-Nepean is basically unchanged. If MacLeod is really going to go for Baird's old seat and not one of the new seats, she'll be a strong candidate but it will be a tough fight.

Thu, 2015-02-05 17:33

#41

Debater

BREAKING: Lisa MacLeod has withdrawn from the Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership race. More to come.

https://twitter.com/TorontoStar/status/563464554504781824