Ontario MP Leslyn Lewis, who had been a candidate for the Conservative leadership in 2020, is trying her luck again.
Ms Lewis announced her candidacy on Tuesday, in a short video posted on social media.
In this race to replace Erin O’Toole, Ms. Lewis joins her Ontario colleague Pierre Poilievre, who announced his intentions last month and who is already campaigning.
Leslyn Lewis had come third, behind Mr O’Toole and Peter MacKay, in the Conservative Party leadership race in 2020. At first almost unknown, she enjoyed considerable support from the “social fringe” of the party and grassroots activists in Western Canada.
Former Quebec Liberal Premier Jean Charest is to officially announce his candidacy in Calgary on Thursday. The former leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party won the support of commentator Tasha Kheiriddin on Monday, who considered running for the leadership.
Lucien Bouchard in favor of Jean Charest
Former Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard welcomes the arrival of Mr. Charest in the race for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada.
Mr. Bouchard, who was a member of Brian Mulroney’s Conservative government alongside Jean Charest before resigning to found the Bloc Québécois, believes that there is always room in politics for people like his former colleague.
“It’s always very good for democracy when there are people of talent and experience who engage in active politics. It’s always very good, especially in the case of my friend Jean Charest,” he said.
Mr. Bouchard made these remarks on the sidelines of an event in Montreal, on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Candidates have until April 19 to declare their intention and until June 3 to submit their membership application to the authorities.