13.68°C Vancouver

Jan 29, 2020 5:35 PM -

New Brunswick’s John Williamson considering Tory leadership

Share On
new-brunswicks-john-williamson-considering-tory-leadership
Prime Minister Stephen Harper welcomes new MP John Williamson at the start of caucus meetings in Ottawa, Wednesday June 1, 2011. Another Conservative MP is testing the waters for a leadership bid. New Brunswick’s John Williamson is considering entering the race. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

New Brunswick MP John Williamson is exploring a bid for leadership of the federal Conservatives, he said Wednesday.

Williamson's announcement emerged as many Tories are grappling with whom to support in the contest now that some high-powered candidates have left the field, including former interim leader Rona Ambrose and longtime Tory MP Pierre Poilievre.

"The race is wide open and there is room, I believe, for a movement Conservative candidate and those are the waters that I'm testing right now," he said.

Former Conservative cabinet ministers Peter MacKay and Erin O'Toole are the only declared contenders who've also met the first requirements for entry into the race a $25,000 payment and 1,000 signatures from party members representing 30 ridings across seven provinces or territories.

But despite those two candidates' perceived front-runner status, there's room for others, Williamson said.

"I think it's clear that Peter MacKay has sewn up the Red Tory bloc and there is a huge element of blue conservatives on the right which are looking for a candidate," he said.

"Erin O'Toole is moving in that direction, trying to occupy that space, but that's not his natural home."

There are at least eight others engaged in rustling up the money and signatures needed to run, and five more who, like Williamson, are mulling whether they would have enough support to do so.

The first $25,000 and 1,000 signatures must be submitted to the party by Feb. 27, with a further $275,000 and 2,000 more signatures due by March 25.

Conservative party members will elect a new leader on June 27.

Latest news

police-cleared-in-fatal-2024-shooting-of-woman-in-surrey-b-c
BCSep 26, 2025

Police cleared in fatal 2024 shooting of woman in Surrey, B.C.

British Columbia's independent police watchdog says an officer was justified in using lethal force in the fatal shooting of a woman threatening her baby.The Independent Investigations Office says in a report released Friday that on Sept. 19, 2024, the Surrey, B.C., officer shot the woman who was holding scissors to her baby's neck.The report says the situation was made worse because the woman spoke little to no English, and there were no Spanish speaking services available other than the use of Google translate.Police had responded to a call after someone reported the woman breaking things and
vpd-investigates-pedestrian-fatality
BCSep 26, 2025

VPD investigates pedestrian fatality

Vancouver Police are investigating a pedestrian fatality that occurred last night, and are asking anyone with information to call police. The pedestrian, a 38-year-old man, was struck by a white Tesla at the intersection of Terminal Avenue and Western Street September 25 just before 8:30 p.m. Despite life-saving attempts from first responders, the pedestrian died at the scene. The driver of the Tesla remained at the scene. Speed and impairment are not considered factors in the collision. Anyone with information is asked to call VPD’s Collision Investigation Unit at 604-717-3012.
canada-not-part-of-mass-walkout-when-israel-pm-netanyahu-spoke-at-un-general-assembly
CanadaSep 26, 2025

Canada not part of mass walkout when Israel PM Netanyahu spoke at UN General Assembly

Canada was not part of a mass walkout this morning during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations General Assembly. The office of Canadian Ambassador Bob Rae says he remained seated during Netanyahu's address as dozens of diplomats from other countries walked out of the chamber. The official presiding over the speeches had to call for order multiple times as delegations, including many from developing countries, rose to leave the room. In his speech, Netanyahu said the "disgraceful decision" by countries like Canada to recognize a Palestinian state will encour
talks-to-resume-between-b-c-government-and-its-public-service-union
BCSep 26, 2025

Talks to resume between B.C. government and its public service union

Talks are resuming between the union representing British Columbia's public service workers and the provincial government. Paul Finch, president of the BC General Employees' Union, says the government has reached out to the union saying it has a new offer and negotiations will start again on Monday. Finch says union pickets will remain up. The union has been conducting escalating strike action over the last four weeks, with up to 15,000 workers conducting job actions including picketing and overtime bans. Finch told a gathering in Victoria that there has been unprecedented level
WorldSep 26, 2025

Transportation Department tightens noncitizen truck driver rules after fatal crash in Florida

The Transportation Department will immediately tighten up the requirements for non-citizens to get commercial drivers licenses after three fatal crashes this year in Florida, Texas and Alabama that officials say were caused by immigrant truck drivers who never should have received licenses. The nationwide audit of these licenses began after a fatal U-turn crash in Florida that killed two people caused by a truck driver who officials said was in the country illegally. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said also threatened to revoke $160 million in federal funding for California because inve

Related News