Conservative race deadline looms

At least eight candidates have crossed the first threshold to having their names appear on the final ballot of the Conservative Party of Canada leadership race.

Among those who have is a former Tory MP-turned-contestant, whose campaign is now questioning whether the price of entry is meant to keep people out.

As of Tuesday, British Columbia MP Marc Dalton was the latest to clear the first deadline of submitting a $50,000 registration fee and completed questionnaire, along with meeting other requirements set by the party.

Dalton, whose campaign promises include holding an inquiry into Ottawa's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, joins former MP and Conservative deputy leader Leona Alleslev and MP Scott Aitchison in making the cutoff.

Others who have met the deadline include Brampton, Ont., Mayor Patrick Brown and independent Ontario MPP Roman Baber.

Party executive director Wayne Benson said Tuesday he anticipates some packages will be received that will need to be reviewed, so no additional announcements would be made until those reviews are completed.

Conservative members will learn exactly who will be in the running to be the party's next leader once candidates cross the next hurdle in 10 days.

By April 29, candidates must submit the full $300,000 required in registration fees and a compliance deposit, along with signatures from 500 party members.

Pierre Poilievre and Leslyn Lewis have already done so, as has former Quebec premier Jean Charest, meaning the party has verified all three as candidates.

Jeff Silverstein, a spokesman for Brown's campaign, said Tuesday his team also submitted the full $300,000, along with the necessary signatures, and looks forward "to being listed on the final ballot shortly."

For other campaigns, particularly those whose candidates have a considerably lower profile, finding sources to finance the $300,000 remains a challenge.

"We have hit our target for signatures and will be submitting them soon," Steve Gilchrist, campaign manger for Alleslev said in a statement late Tuesday. "The fundraising target however, is a very high bar, in a very short timeframe, perhaps designed intentionally to keep candidates out of the race.

"While our campaign is rapidly gaining momentum as reflected in our increased fundraising numbers, now is the time for anyone wanting a broader choice of leadership candidates to make a donation to ensure that we can continue in this race after the deadline of April 29."

Dalton, in announcing that he passed the first stage of approval, tweeted he also needed to "raise a lot more" to get on the final ballot.

"Any amount helps," he wrote.

A spokeswoman for Baber's campaign said Tuesday it anticipates raising and submitting the remainder of the $300,000 "very shortly."

Aitchison's campaign said he was grateful to the donors who have already contributed to his bid, but did not comment on how much it has left to go.

For others vying for a spot, the mountain is much steeper.

Saskatchewan businessman Joseph Bourgault — who entered the contest after founding a non-profit alleging Canadian governments were being controlled by "globalists" — said Tuesday he still has to raise more than $175,000 to make it in the race.

Speaking from Calgary, Bourgault said he submitted the initial $50,000 fee two weeks ago and on Wednesday was scheduled to speak with members of the party's leadership election organizing committee, which is a required next step for all candidates in order to pass the first stage.

The businessman said he's collected more than 550 signatures.

In addition to fundraising, candidates have been criss-crossing the country selling Conservative party memberships to their supporters, which they have until June 3 to do.

Candidates who clear the April 29 deadline have been invited to a May 5 leadership debate in Ottawa as part of an annual conference hosted by the Canada Strong and Free Network. It bills itself as a venue that supports the country's conservative movement.

The debate will be the first time candidates are set to face each other since the race was triggered in early February, when a majority of Conservative MPs voted to boot former leader Erin O'Toole out of the job.

The party itself has picked dates for its official debates. One in English will be held in Edmonton on May 11, which will be followed by one in French in Montreal May 25.

A third one could take place in early August, weeks before members are set to learn who their new leader is, when the results of the mail-in ballots are counted and revealed Sept. 10.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 19, 2022.