Jean Charest “on the march” towards the race for the Conservative leadership

Jean Charest is fine-tuning his plan to get into the race and the final pieces of the puzzle are falling into place, according to conservative sources familiar with the preparations.

We have support in all the provinces. People will be surprised by the support we receive, even in Western Canadaindicates a supporter of the candidacy of Jean Charest.

For her part, the columnist of National Post and consultant Tasha Kheiriddin no longer wonders and she’s going to run, but when would be the right time to do itaccording to several conservative sources, including within his campaign.

The right to change your mind at the last minute

We get organized. We are setting up the campaign structure in each provincesays a senior source in Ms. Kheiriddin’s campaign. We are ready to go. But the final decision will depend a lot on the rules that will be chosen by the party.

The entourage of Jean Charest had confirmed, two years ago, the authenticity of a video in which he announced his candidacy to succeed Andrew Scheer at the head of the Conservative Party. He had finally passed his turn.

Photo: Screenshot – YouTube

In Jean Charest’s camp too, we reserve the right to change our minds at the last minute. As long as it is not announced, anything can happen, says a conservative source. Two years ago, Jean Charest recorded his campaign launch video, only to choose not to run.

Charest does not grant interviews”,”text”:”We inform you that Mr. Charest does not grant interviews”}}”>We inform you that Mr. Charest does not grant interviewssays his executive assistant at McCarthy-Tétreault, Chaghig Torikian.

Curator Alain Rayes, the main signatory of a letter published in The Press+ inviting Mr. Charest to enter the race, did not want to confirm, in an interview with Radio-Canada on Tuesday, if the former premier of Quebec would be an official candidate.

It would be dishonest to tell you that I don’t talk to him. I am talking to himrevealed the MP for Richmond–Arthabaska. But I think it’s a big reflection for him, for his family, and not knowing the final rules of racing too.

Mr. Rayes, who dropped his role as political lieutenant for Quebec earlier this month to take a stand in the leadership race, however assured Mr. Charest of his support. Ultimately, if he decides to go for it, there will be soldiers like me who will be by his side so that they can fight the battle, win the leadership race and win the role of Prime Minister of Canada.he said, admitting all the same that it’s clear that he needs to modernize his speech.

Patrick Brown, Peter MacKay, Leslyn Lewis

Brampton Mayor and former leader of the Conservative Party of Ontario, Patrick Brown, is also considering throwing his hat in the arena, according to our sources. But the coming of municipal elections in November in Ontario complicates his decision-making. He might still lend his political organization to a candidate, as he did for Peter MacKay in 2020.

Mr MacKay, who came second to Erin O’Toole in 2020, has yet to reject the idea of ​​running once more. MP Leslyn Lewis, who represents the religious wing of the party and who finished third in the last race, is also preparing her team.

For the moment, the only declared candidate is the MP for Carleton, Pierre Poilievre.

Looking for support and money

Former Liberal Premier of Quebec, from 2003 to 2012, and former federal minister under Brian Mulroney, within the Progressive Conservative Party which he led from 1995 to 1998, Jean Charest is courted by many people of all political allegiances, both progressive conservatives and more right-wing liberals.

With his international experience, in the business world and in politics, he is a must. And what’s more, he’s a formidable debater who would give Justin Trudeau a hard time.believes a curator who supports his possible candidacy.

For their part, supporters of a candidacy of Tasha Kheiriddin believe that she is a blank canvas, without political baggage or pans. For example, the fact that Jean Charest is a former Liberal prime minister or that he and his law firm were advising Huawei when two Canadians were detained in China irritates some conservatives.

Tasha Kheiriddin’s team say they have been contacted by former members who would return to the party and non-members who would consider voting conservative if Tasha were the leadersays a source within his campaign.

The Conservative Party leadership committee is due to announce rules soon that contestants will have to follow, such as the down payment and number of signatures needed to officially enter the race, and spending limits.

The shorter the race, the larger the outlay and the higher the number of signatures, the more it will disadvantage outside candidates.

A vote in June would become a crowning achievement for Pierre Poilievre, says a conservative source. This might deter some potential candidates.

Anyone except Peter

We hear behind the scenes that a movement Anyone except Peter organized in progressive circles in order to block the way to Pierre Poilievre, the only officially declared candidate until now.

Conservatives believe that his very right-wing view of conservatism and his support for the trucking convoy make him a difficult candidate to sell in urban areas of Quebec and Ontario.

People are sick of Republican style populism, it can’t go on if we want to winsays a conservative source who supports Jean Charest. Faced with the crisis of national unity and the problem of social cohesion in the country, we need a leader who unites, not who polarizesshe believes.

The presence of several progressive candidates to contrast Pierre Poilievre does not seem to worry the progressive forces of the party. It will help us present a positive image to the population.said a Conservative MP. And if we go to the second or third round, the more progressive candidates we have, the more votes we have to elect one.