Skip to Main content

8.71°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Podcast Contact Us

Feb 13, 2020 11:39 PM -

Former Conservative cabinet minister John Baird decides to stay out of leadership race

Share On

Former Conservative cabinet minister John Baird says he's not running to lead the federal Conservative party.

His announcement puts an end to days of speculation that he could enter the race, talk that began late last month after both current MP Pierre Poilievre and former interim party leader Rona Ambrose decided not to run.

Baird had been poised to run Poilievre's campaign, but Poilievre dropped out last month, saying his heart wasn't in it.

The absence of what some in the party feel is a ``true blue'' voice in the contest a role some saw as belonging to either Poilievre or Ambrose _ put pressure on Baird to join.

His decision not to leave his life in the private sector will likely be a relief for the only other two candidates officially registered to run so far: his former cabinet colleagues Peter MacKay and Erin O'Toole.

Both men are pegged as being closer to the progressive wing of the party, though O'Toole in particular has taken on a more right-wing tone since launching his campaign earlier this month.

Latest news

pedestrian-critically-injured-after-pickup-truck-collision-in-prince-george

Pedestrian Critically Injured After Pickup Truck Collision in Prince George

A pedestrian was seriously injured after being struck by a pickup truck in Prince George on Thursday morning. The victim remains in hospital. According to police, the incident occurred at around 9 a.m. near Domano Boulevard and McGill Crescent. The 54-year-old man was taken to hospital in critical condition. Police believe alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the collision. A 48-year-old driver was taken into custody at the scene. No names have been released so far. This is the second serious pedestrian-related incident in Prince George this week. Earlier, on Monday at around 4:30 a.

powerful-storm-brings-heavy-rain-to-b-c-yellow-alerts-issued-for-metro-vancouver

Powerful Storm Brings Heavy Rain to B.C., Yellow Alerts Issued for Metro Vancouver

Environment Canada has issued yellow-level weather alerts for several parts of Metro Vancouver as a powerful storm brings heavy rainfall and strong winds to British Columbia’s coastal region. According to the weather agency, up to 80 millimetres of rain could fall in elevated areas of the North Shore and near the southern Howe Sound. Areas in northeastern Metro Vancouver, including Coquitlam, could receive around 50 millimetres of rainfall by the evening. The agency says the rain is expected to gradually ease overnight. However, several more storm systems could move into the region early nex

lorne-doerkson-pleased-with-carney-governments-budget-hopes-b-c-will-receive-major-funding

CanadaNov 06, 2026

Lorne Doerkson Pleased with Carney Government’s Budget, Hopes B.C. Will Receive Major Funding

B.C. Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson has voiced support for the federal budget presented by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government, calling it encouraging for Canada’s economic future. The budget includes $6.5 billion in funding to support the forestry industry, which has been hit hard by U.S. tariffs. Doerkson expressed hope that British Columbia would receive a significant share of the funding, noting that the forestry sector is a major pillar of the province’s economy. Former B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar also welcomed the funding, describing it as a good start. He said

canadas-unemployment-rate-rises-to-6-7-highest-level-in-six-months

CanadaNov 06, 2026

Canada’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.7%, Highest Level in Six Months

Canada’s unemployment rate climbed to 6.7 per cent in October, reaching its highest level in six months, according to the latest data released by Statistics Canada on Friday. Economists had expected the economy to add 13,600 jobs overall. However, instead of gaining jobs, Canada recorded a net loss of 4,700 positions last month. The decline was primarily driven by the private sector, which shed 53,000 jobs, marking its first major drop since February. Meanwhile, public-sector employment increased by 50,000 positions, while the construction industry added 16,000 jobs, helping offset some of t

AlbertaNov 06, 2026

Alberta Referendum Cost Nearly $84 Million, Elections Alberta Seeks Additional $59 Million

Elections Alberta has estimated the total cost of last month's referendum at nearly $84 million. The agency has requested more than $59 million in additional funding from the provincial government to cover expenses already incurred and upcoming work. Of the requested amount, approximately $49 million is intended to cover costs related to the October referendum, which have already been incurred. The vote set new records for advance voting, special ballots and voter turnout. Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure told a committee that manually counting 10 ballot papers for each voter placed sign

Related News

Lorne Doerkson Pleased with Carney Government’s Budget, Hopes B.C. Will Receive Major Funding

Lorne Doerkson Pleased with Carney Government’s Budget, Hopes B.C. Will Receive Major Funding

B.C. Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson has voiced support for the federal budget presented by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government, calling it encouraging for Canada’s economic future. The budget includes $6.5 billion in funding to support the forestry industry, which has been hit hard by U.S. tariffs. Doerkson expressed hope that British Columbia would receive a significant share of the funding, noting that the forestry sector is a major pillar of the province’s economy. Former B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar also welcomed the funding, describing it as a good start. He said

Canada’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.7%, Highest Level in Six Months

Canada’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.7%, Highest Level in Six Months

Canada’s unemployment rate climbed to 6.7 per cent in October, reaching its highest level in six months, according to the latest data released by Statistics Canada on Friday. Economists had expected the economy to add 13,600 jobs overall. However, instead of gaining jobs, Canada recorded a net loss of 4,700 positions last month. The decline was primarily driven by the private sector, which shed 53,000 jobs, marking its first major drop since February. Meanwhile, public-sector employment increased by 50,000 positions, while the construction industry added 16,000 jobs, helping offset some of t

Canada Raises Deposit Insurance Limit from $100,000 to $250,000

Canada Raises Deposit Insurance Limit from $100,000 to $250,000

The federal government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced an increase in the deposit insurance limit, raising the amount of money protected in Canadians’ bank accounts from $100,000 to $250,000. Under a new proposal introduced as part of Budget 2026, the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) coverage limit will increase by $150,000. This marks the first increase in the deposit insurance limit in nearly 20 years. CDIC insurance guarantees that eligible deposits held at member financial institutions are protected up to a specified limit in the event of a bank failure. The co

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital