OTTAWA (CP) -- The Canadian Alliance has not succeeded in building a strong Ontario organization on the ground in time for the election, say some of the party's local organizers.
Making a breakthrough in Ontario is priority one for the Alliance as it moves into the federal election, expected to be called Sunday.
The party's previous incarnation, the Reform party, did not win any seats in Ontario in the 1997 federal election. Many party workers blamed that on the party's thin infrastructure in the province.
But despite Alliance Leader Stockwell Day's emphasis on the province over the past several months, some riding executives say they don't see much of a change from the way Reform ran things.
"Once again, this will be a traditional, Reform-party type organization: there'll be a good organization around the leader . .. there'll be good strong riding association campaigns and nothing in between," said Ian Brodie, president of the London West riding.
"Unlike the Liberals and the provincial Tories where there are strong regional field organizers, the Canadian Alliance is a little thin on the ground for that sort of thing."
Brodie said he hasn't heard from either of the Ontario campaign co-chairmen, and other riding workers say they still deal primarily with representatives in the party's central office in Calgary.
Kathy New, president of the Oakville riding association, chalks up the delay to the prime minister's early election call.
"If the election had been held in the spring ... it had started to be moved into place, and it would have been a little bit better established," New said.
"It would have been nice to have another few months to get a larger Ontario organization into place, but we can beat the Liberals, it's not a problem."
Part of the growing pains for some ridings stem from the effort to unite supporters of very different backgrounds. There are the old crop of former Reformers, accustomed to how that party ran things, and then a wave of provincial Tories joining up.
Luther Holton, regional organizer for the Hamilton area, says some of the Alliance's constitutional bylaws, many carried over from Reform, are tough for newcomers to accept.
For example, the Alliance has stringent guidelines on the nomination process that have made it difficult to put candidates in place in time for the election call.
"I think there may be some frustration with Tories getting into the party, used to the way they've seen things done and having to adapt to the way Reform has evolved into the Canadian Alliance," Holton said.
John Capobianco, co-chairman of the party's Ontario campaign, acknowledged there were "cultural differences" between the Reformers and newcomers, but last summer's leadership race helped unify the various camps.
"We've never been through a campaign together, so this is a new campaign as a party, and that presents challenges as well," Capobianco said.
He said any differences have been put aside now and, "we're all working together to accomplish that goal."
MP Jason Kenney, the party's election co-chairman, said he expects the Alliance can pick up between 12 and 20 seats in Ontario -- or even more if the party's expectation of a groundswell of support materializes.
"I think if the changed dynamic takes hold during this campaign, as we anticipate, we will be winning 40 or more seats in this province."
SURREY, B.C. (CP) -- In a speech delivered Monday barely a block from where a little girl vanished two weeks ago, Canadian Alliance leader Stockwell Day promised the party's hard-line justice policies would help Canadians feel safe.
"It's time we really talked about standing on guard for our country," Day told a friendly audience at a chamber of commerce luncheon.
Mangling a famous quote from late U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt, Day said one of the basic freedoms was "freedom of fear" -- he meant freedom from fear.
The theme resonated in this semi-rural Vancouver suburb, where 10-year-old Heather Thomas disappeared while riding her bicycle outside her father's apartment complex.
Police are treating the case as an abduction.
Day said this was no attempt to exploit the incident, noting the theme and the venue were chosen before Heather vanished.
"Our hearts go out to the family," Day said later.
During the speech, Day outlined the party's justice policies released in its election platform last week. He said an Alliance government would ensure violent and repeat criminals would stay locked up as long as possible in prisons that weren't country clubs.
"We need to send a message that serious crime means serious time," he said.
Day hammered federal corrections policies he said seemed to condone prison drug use and gave inmates in "club fed" facilities access to amenities such as golf courses.
The government should recognize the rehabilitation potential of individual prisoners, he said, but "we want to move back to a system where it is serious to be in jail."
Young offenders, while being given a chance to straighten out, would face adult courts in many cases and dangerous or incorrigible youths would have their names published, he said.
The Alliance would also put an end to concurrent sentences in serious cases such as multiple murders and tack on consecutive time for using firearms to commit crimes.
Day backed use of the notwithstanding clause of the Constitution to ensure the current law on possession of child pornography is upheld.
The Supreme Court of Canada is due to rule soon on the case of Vancouver resident Robin Sharp, whose kiddie-porn conviction was overturned on appeal here.
The Alliance wants parole to be harder to get and easier to revoke to deter repeat offenders and young offenders who view the justice system as an easy ride.
Parole violators should be returned to serve their full sentences, plus at least two-thirds of the sentence for whatever crime they committed to violate their parole, said Day.
"(Parole) is something that should not be deemed a right, but something that should be earned as a privilege," he said.
Day said critics condemn the Alliance's policies as mean-spirited, but he said they merely redress a balance that has tilted too much in favour of the criminal's rights and away from the protection of society.
The Alliance's policies wouldn't result in putting more people behind bars at a higher cost to taxpayers, he said.
Harsher treatment of violent and repeat criminals should have a deterrent effect and actually bring down costs, Day said.
Day won't campaign on Sundays
Thursday, October 12, 2000
MONTREAL (CP) -- Stockwell Day says he won't start his election campaign on a Sunday, despite reports that Prime Minister Jean Chretien plans to announce the date of the vote on Sunday, Oct. 22.
The Canadian Alliance leader said Thursday he doesn't plan to break his long-standing routine of spending Sundays with his family.
"It's just a choice and a commitment that I've made to my family," Day said following a breakfast debate with Quebec economists about the party's tax platform.
"Sometime Sunday afternoon if he calls it (the election) and I'm listening to the radio and I hear that, it'll probably accelerate my thinking process, but I won't be rushing into the office."
Day's comments follow a report in the Toronto Star on Thursday suggesting Chretien will call an election on Oct. 22 and then fly to Toronto to stage a giant rally to open his fall campaign.
The newspaper, citing Liberal party documents, said Chretien is poised to set the vote for Monday, Nov. 27.
He would begin with a Sunday visit to Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson at Rideau Hall on Oct. 22 and request that Parliament be dissolved. She has been asked to be home that day, the Star said.
"I don't think it's to have tea with me," joked Day. "I think we know what that means."
A Nov. 27 election has been the date most often mentioned in speculation on when Canadians were to go to the polls.
A fall vote would force the Alliance to speed up its nomination process in order to fulfil its goal of running a candidate in every riding, said Day.
In some regions, such as Western Canada, all the candidates are in place. In Quebec, Atlantic Canada, and parts of Ontario, there are still vacancies.
"We may have a good portion of those done even before Oct. 22, but in the first week of an election call we will complete this process."
Day criticized by Arab-Canadians
Alliance leader in hot water over comments on U.N. resolution Thursday, October 12, 2000
(CP) -- Canadian Alliance Leader Stockwell Day is over his head wading into the turbulent waters of Middle East politics, says a spokesman for Arab-Islamic Canadians.
"It's a serious faux pas in terms of his support within the Arab-Canadian and Islamic communities," Ian Watson of the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations said Thursday from Ottawa.
"He doesn't really understand the depth of feeling, he doesn't quite understand the ramifications of taking a strong position on something that is so dear to the hearts of a very large number of Canadians."
Day slammed the federal government earlier this week over its support of a UN resolution that condemns Israel's use of excessive force against Palestinians.
Day said the resolution is "clearly slanted with anti-Israel bias" and the federal government made a mistake by taking sides.
But Day is the one choosing sides, said Watson.
"He has now put himself on the record as supporting a country that is flagrantly abusing its position as the occupier in terms of excess use of force against unarmed civilians . . . he's also now on record and the party's now on record, unless they retract, as opposing Canadian support for the application of international law."
Watson called on Day to retract his remarks.
But Day, on a pre-election campaign swing through Manitoba, said Thursday that Arab-Canadians he has talked to haven't objected to what he said.
"We've been very careful not to say it's the fault of the Muslim community or the Arab community or the Jewish community . . . we're saying 'Let's be sensitive to both sides.'"
Day's view was unexpectedly echoed by a Liberal MP on Thursday.
"I don't object to the critique of Israel," Montreal MP Irwin Cotler told CBC-TV.
"I object to the fact that the resolution was unbalanced and contained no critique of the violence against Israel."
Cotler, a former president of the Canadian Jewish Congress, said he didn't see this as breaking with his party.
"I see this as a critique of the process of international human rights law with which we are all engaged."
Both the congress and the Canada-Israel Committee were pleased with Day's position on the resolution.
"We were happy to hear and to realize Stockwell Day and the Canadian Alliance understood our position and declared their opposition to what we considered a very unhelpful action on the part of the Canadian government," Robert Ritter, executive director of the committee, said from Ottawa.
The resolution blames Israel entirely for what's going on in the Middle East and doesn't recognize "the violence initiated and incited by the Palestinian authority," Ritter added.
Moshe Ronen, national president of the congress, said he phoned Day on Wednesday to thank him.
"I believe he is correct in asserting that Canada should not have pointed the finger . . . I told him he should keep knocking on the same issue until we hear something more constructive from the federal government."
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Prime Minister Jean Chretien plan to meet Monday with an Israeli envoy.
"We hope to be able to determine further what can be done to support those in the present Israeli government who want to see the peace process negotiated," Axworthy told CBC-TV.
"Although the resolution is perceived by many as one-sided, I can tell you it was substantially moderated from where it began."
The violence in the Middle East worsened Thursday as Israeli helicopters rained rockets on Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat's compound in retaliation for the deaths of three Israeli soldiers mutilated by a mob of enraged Palestinians.
It began two weeks ago after Israeli Opposition Leader Ariel Sharon, accompanied by soldiers, made a controversial visit to the Dome of the Rock, a site considered holy by Muslims, Christians and Jews.
Since then, 95 people have been killed, mainly Palestinians. Chretien issued a statement Thursday, deploring the growing violence.
"Canadians are deeply concerned by the escalating tension and mounting loss of life in the region and call on both parties to exercise strong and decisive leadership to put a stop to hostilities," he said.
"I call on them not to let the events of the past few weeks undo all the progress they have made toward a just and lasting peace -- the peace for which both Israelis and Palestinians, indeed the entire world, hope and pray."
Frank Dimant, executive vice-president of B'Nai Brith Canada, warned that the violence must not be allowed to spread to Canada, no matter how passionate the feelings on both sides.
"We want the Muslim moderates to speak out to ensure that their community understands that in this country we debate, we exchange views," Dimant said Thursday. "We do not engage in violent confrontation."
He referred to a demonstration in Toronto last Saturday in which Palestinians called for death to the Jews.
"These kinds of hate-speech manifestation simply have no place in this country."
Dimant said synagogues and a Jewish centre have been defaced. A young Jewish man was severely beaten in Montreal by Palestinians. He also mentioned the vandalism and defacing of a Palestinian institution called Palestine House, "which we equally condemn."
"We do not tolerate any kind of violence against Jew or Arab."
Supporting UN resolution a mistake, Day says
Canada shouldn't take sides, Opposition leader insists Monday, October 9, 2000
OTTAWA (CP) -- Opposition Leader Stockwell Day accused the federal government of taking sides in the Middle East after it backed a weekend UN resolution "clearly slanted with an anti-Israel bias."
The resolution condemned "the excessive use of force against the Palestinians" after the latest round of violence in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
It was passed Saturday evening by 14 members of the UN Security Council, including Canada. The United States, which has veto powers, abstained from the vote.
Both Day and his foreign affairs critic Monte Solberg said Ottawa made a mistake by choosing sides.
"I am not sure we will further the cause of peace if we as a nation join in the finger pointing, rather than working with both sides co-operatively," Day said in a statement released Monday.
"The Canadian government has made a grave error in supporting this unjust resolution," added Solberg.
An official with the Foreign Affairs Department said Canada's support for the resolution was based on a desire to put an immediate stop to the violence against civilians, especially children.
"The initial goal was to see an end to the violence," said Carl Schwenger.
"I'm not sure the goal was to pin it on any one side."
In a statement released Sunday, Prime Minister Jean Chretien said he had written to Israeli and Palestinian leaders asking them both to do everything in their power to stop the violence and resume peace negotiations.
In Canada, both Israeli and Palestinian groups were disappointed by Ottawa's support for the UN resolution -- saying it either went too far or not far enough.
The Canada-Israel Committee called the motion "an overtly biased and discriminatory resolution, which in criticizing Israel alone, fails to reflect the complexity of the situation on the ground."
The committee said the Security Council ignored the Palestinian Authority's role in fuelling the violence, pointing to Arab vandalism of Joseph's Tomb and the kidnapping of three Israeli soldiers.
Robert Ritter, the committee's national executive director, acknowledged Canada's efforts to temper earlier drafts of the resolution, but was still disappointed with the outcome.
"Canada's vote for last night's prejudicial resolution reflects a continuing problem in this country's approach to the treatment of Israel in international institutions," he said.
However, a spokesman for Canada's Arab community said the violence that has left 88 people dead -- mostly Palestinians -- clearly shows who is responsible.
Salah Musa, president of the Association of Palestinian Arab Canadians, criticized Canada for not taking an even stronger stand on the resolution.
"We are very saddened by the fact it was watered down because of U.S. leverage," he said.
"Where is Canada's sense of justice and fairness . . . Canada's reputation is being hurt by its silence."
Day says farm aid should be based on need
Thursday, October 12, 2000
ROSSER, Man. (CP) -- Stockwell Day promised farmers Thursday that a Canadian Alliance government would base aid programs on need and not arbitrary dollar figures.
At a mixed grain, oilseeds and cattle farm just north of Winnipeg, Day said it was disgraceful that Manitoba farmers were still going cap in hand to Ottawa to receive help for a flooding problem that happened more than a year ago.
"What kind of a response is that?" he asked.
The main planks of the Alliance's program for farmers include ending the monopoly of the Canadian Wheat Board on export sales and a 50 per cent cut in the federal excise tax on farm diesel fuel.
"Thirty-three per cent of farmers only support the wheat board as it is presently constituted," he said.
Other promises are a lot less specific, such as one to "support safety net programs."
Emergency disaster relief, crop insurance and the Net Income Stabilization Account are supposed to work together to protect farmers from the harmful effects of things like weather or world market conditions.
The federal government has promised to spend $1.1 billion a year for the next three years on its safety net programs.
Day could not say if he would increase that.
"We're saying the safety net programs have got to be effective and they've got to be responsible and we're not going to say whether that's enough money."
"They're looking at a particular figure. We're saying it should be based on need not just been made on an arbitrary amount."
There have been complaints that the Agricultural Income Disaster Assistance Program misses too many farmers who need help.
But Day also predicted the Liberals would be putting something on the table for farmers in a pre-election mini-budget which he labelled a "cynical and last-minute activity to try and buy the votes."
The Alliance is promising to "launch an aggressive campaign through the WTO and NAFTA to reduce foreign subsidies."
For years, Canadian officials have been lobbying to do just that with little impact. Such subsidies are blamed for distorting the world market and making it harder for Canada farmers to compete.
When asked what he would do differently, he suggested Canada could use its "buying power," which includes a $2.5-billion agricultural trade deficit with France, to pressure Europe into making concessions.
"The federal government in our view has not been vigorous enough."
Besides eliminating the monopoly powers of the Canadian Wheat Board, the Alliance is also promising to go a lot further than the Liberals in making the grain transportation system operate on a more commercial basis. Once again, that means reducing the clout of the Canadian Wheat Board.
The Alliance is promising dairy farmers and others who operate under national quota systems that they won't be left hanging like grain farmers, despite international pressure to remove protective tariffs.
"We will continue to support supply-managed farmers by reducing tariffs and changing domestic policies only when other countries match our commitments and provide guaranteed access to foreign markets," says the party's policy book.
We haven't sold out, Day insists
Alliance leader says principles not compromised in policy platform Friday, October 6, 2000
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. (CP) -- Stockwell Day denies he has compromised his principles in a bid to broaden his party's appeal in the run-up to a federal election.
The Alliance policy platform, released Thursday, was immediately condemned by the Liberals and other parties as a sellout aimed at nothing but buying votes in an election widely expected in November.
The platform is softer on issues long seen as the bread-and-butter of the right-wing Alliance and the Reform party before it.
Key among them was a flat tax, a much-touted Alliance proposal to tax everyone at 17 per cent no matter their income.
The platform unveiled Thursday backs down somewhat on the proposal, saying most people would get the single rate at the end of five years -- but some wouldn't get it until a second term Alliance government.
Day defended the move, saying it was necessary if the party also wanted to put money into other areas.
"We're just being very honest," he said in an interview.
"We couldn't accommodate everybody in the first four years because ... we're proposing gas tax reductions, which we haven't proposed before."
Boosting health care, cutting gas taxes, and offering significant tax credits for families with children -- all are seen by critics as an attempt by the party to deflect criticism and move closer to the centre on major issues.
Day has been labelled as weak on health care because, when he was an Alberta cabinet minister, he supported a provincial bill that would partially privatize health care. He also wants to weaken the federal government's powers to oversee medicare.
The party has been criticized as well for wanting to get tough with youth under 12 who run afoul of the law.
Absent from the new platform was a proposal, popular among Alliance MPs, that would lower the age at which youth would fall under the Young Offenders Act.
Front and centre is a health-care proposal to pump more money into the system and guarantee long-term stable funding.
Day denies he's trying to appear closer to the centre.
"When we talk about increasing the deduction for children, is that left of centre or right of centre?"
"When we talk about increasing spousal exemptions ... is that left of centre or right of centre?
"These are people-friendly programs and that's, I think, why we continue to increase in the polls."
Since the Alliance held its leadership vote earlier this year, it has been painted by the Liberals and other parties as an intolerant party that doesn't care much for new immigrants, gays and lesbians -- just the old Reform party in new clothes.
But Day focused Friday on distancing himself and his party from outdated attitudes of its predecessor.
He blamed negative views of his party on a Liberal smear campaign.
Speaking to an ethnically diverse lunch crowd of about 150, Day said his party welcomes people of all backgrounds.
Some two dozen people from ethnic minorities are running for the Alliance in the Toronto area, said organizers.
"This is definitely a rear-view mirror issue, it is not a problem for the Canadian Alliance in these days and I'm very glad it's not," Day said.
Tony Clement, one of the founding members of the new party, said Reform's image as intolerant and racist is now irrelevant.
"We've created a brand new party and we have a brand new leader," he said.
In the interview, Day also distanced himself from previous suggestions that he is homophobic.
He said gays and lesbians are equal, and are welcome in his party.
Zubair Choudhry, who runs an Alliance committee on immigrants, said after Day's speech that even if anti-immigrant or anti-minority feelings still exist in the party, they don't reflect the majority.
"It's a big party, a big caucus, everybody has a right to have their personal opinions," said Choudhry, a Muslim from Pakistan who emigrated in 1986.
Day prays for reporters
Thursday, October 19, 2000
BURLINGTON, Ont. (CP) -- Canadian Alliance Leader Stockwell Day explained his Christian faith on a religious television show Thursday and confessed he prays for reporters who say nasty things about him.
Day, who has occasionally been the subject of derision for his Pentecostal beliefs, said the Scripture tells him not to lash out in anger.
"So when I see something (that is derogatory), the way I deal with that, the way I would deal with the anger is not to retaliate but to follow the words of Jesus and pray for people who would say nasty things about me," he said.
Day was a guest on the Christian television show 100 Huntley Street, moderated by David Mainse and broadcast live throughout much southern Ontario.
Mainse told the studio audience of about 100, many of whom said they were Canadian Alliance supporters, that he had invited the leader to be his guest after a Maclean's magazine headline referred to Day as "scary."
Day himself has accused the ruling Liberals of fear-mongering over his vocal religious beliefs. He outlined for Mainse his route to finding God and explained that he had not always been a believer.
His faith was developed during classes he was required to take before marrying his wife Valorie 29 years ago, he said.
When asked by reporters after the show if he felt religion was important to the electorate, he said he felt it was a fair question
"I don't think it's something that should be hidden," he said. "I think that whatever a person's faith is, it shouldn't be ridiculed or seen as a negative thing."
Prime Minister Jean Chretien has adamantly refused to discuss his own religious beliefs and Day said that too should be respected.
PM renames CA to "Unholy Alliance"
Tuesday, August 29, 2000
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Manitoba Liberals listen as Prime Minister Jean Chretien makes a point against the Canadian Alliance during a speech at the National Liberal Caucus Tuesday August 29, 2000 in Winnnipeg. (CP PHOTO/Adrian Wyld)
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WINNIPEG (CP) -- Prime Minister Jean Chretien unleashed a spirited attack against Canadian Alliance leader Stockwell Day on Tuesday, calling the party an "unholy Alliance."
In a rousing speech at an evening rally that capped off the first of a three-day federal Liberal caucus meeting, Chretien picked apart both Day's well-publicized personal stand on issues as well as the Alliance party's policies.
But Chretien reserved his most pointed criticism for Day's recent overtures to Quebec separatists. Two former Bloc Quebecois MPs announced Monday they would run for the Alliance in the next election.
"History has taught us how dangerous it is to try to seduce separatists," he said, referring to former prime minister Brian Mulroney's failed attempts to keeping separatists such as Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard in his Tory government.
"Who will be his Lucien Bouchard? And he wants 40 of them, I don't want any of them," said Chretien to applause.
Chretien's speech focused on highlighting the differences between the Liberals and the Alliance.
While the Liberal track reflects the Canadian way, Day's so-called "freedom train" is heading back in time, he said.
"There is the train going backwards. They like to call it the freedom train."
"As though Canada is not free, as though Canadians are not free. What total nonsense," he said, adding that the use of the expression was an insult to slaves who escaped to Canada 150 years ago from the United States.
Chretien also criticized Day for wanting to open up the abortion debate and disturb a "social peace" that has existed about the issue since a Supreme Court decision allowed abortions in 1988.
He also denounced the flat tax system proposed by the Alliance for favouring the rich and punishing the poor.
Chretien then said the Liberals are ready for an election fight with the Alliance, although it's widely expected that fight won't happen until next spring.
Day, at his former Red Deer, Alta. stronghold on Tuesday, said he was surprised at the personal nature of what he called Chretien's "old-style political rant."
"He wants to make this personal. We are going to respond with policy, with an agenda of respect. Canadians want facts, not hysteria," said Day.
Chretien's speech came at the end of a day which began with the party looking less united than planned.
Tongues were wagging Tuesday after MPs and senators read a newspaper interview in which Chretien took aim at detractors in the party who would prefer to see Finance Minister Paul Martin lead them into the next election.
Chretien said he had no respect for "Nervous Nellies" -- MPs worried about running against the Canadian Alliance -- especially with him at the helm.
He dismissed them as a marginal group of MPs who "want to be cabinet ministers and you know that most of them don't have what is needed."
While some MPs suggested Chretien may not have meant what he said, they were disturbed by the message.
"I want to believe that he wouldn't say that because, frankly, I don't think it's a very good comment," said MP Diane Marleau, who was shuffled out of cabinet last year.
"I think everyone runs for office wanting to do the best for their constituents. . . . I really believe that every person that's elected is cabinet material."
"The prime minister can talk about Nervous Nellies, that's his prerogative," said Martin supporter Maurizio Bevilacqua, an Ontario MP and chairman of the Finance Committee. "I don't know any of them."
Stan Keyes, a Hamilton MP, said Chretien may have made the comment under the pressure of an interview, but he said it was not a "very flattering comment.
"Maybe it was just a natural, knee-jerk reaction to think that if you support me, you've got to be very, very smart," he said.
Chretien appeared to be making amends for the comment in his speech on Tuesday night, calling his caucus "the most talented, creative caucus in the House of Commons.
"A very lively one, a very talkative one, a truly national one."
The Liberals have recently experienced a decline in the polls as the Alliance has surged. Rural Ontario MPs are especially worried about the impending battle with the Alliance in an area that is traditionally conservative.
Many believe that if the Liberals do not pick up new seats in the West, Atlantic or Quebec regions, there is a real possibility they'll end up with a minority government after the next election.
But no one owned up to being nervous Tuesday.
"I've never been a Nervous Nellie, and I never will be. I think that's a lot of rubbish," said Sarnia, Ont. MP Roger Gallaway.
Meanwhile, more disharmony became apparent when a Quebec MP was quoted in Tuesday's papers attacking Martin for taking all the credit for the party's economic performance.
Raymond Lavigne, who represents Verdun-Saint-Henri and is described as a Chretien supporter, also said Martin should decide now whether he plans to stick around or leave politics for greener pastures.
Martin supporters have recently said he is considering leaving politics because there are no signs Chretien is leaving the top job Martin covets.
On Tuesday, Martin dismissed the comments, repeating that he intends to run in the next election.
Other MPs sided with Martin.
"I find it difficult to believe that Mr. Martin takes too much credit, because that's not the kind of guy he is," said Marleau.
Martin added this week's meeting isn't about leadership, and called on Lavigne and others to focus on policy.
Several MPs echoed that sentiment.
Many of Martin's supporters have resigned themselves to the fact that they are running in the next election under Chretien's leadership.
Most predict that it isn't likely the leadership question will come up at all publicly during this week's meeting.
Instead, the attendees will discuss how to fight the Alliance in the Commons and the next election, and what their platform will be.
Pitting Clark against Day in Commons a good idea, Mulroney says Sunday, September 10, 2000
But former PM leaves no doubt where his support lies
MONTREAL (CP) -- Democracy would be well-served if both Conservative Leader Joe Clark and Canadian Alliance Leader Stockwell Day were to win their byelections Monday, Brian Mulroney says.
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Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Quebec Liberal Leader Jean Charest bust out laughing after Mulroney noted the combination of the red tie with the blue shirt Charest was wearing while attending an awards luncheon held by the Canadian Jewish Congress Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000 in Montreal. (CP PHOTO, Paul Chiasson) |
Having both leaders take their battle for the right-wing vote to the House of Commons would give Canadians new perspective before the next federal election, the former Tory prime minister said Sunday.
Mulroney made his comments following a speech to the Canadian Jewish Congress.
But Mulroney left no doubt about where his political loyalty lies, saying voters will ultimately favour Clark.
"I think you will see very quickly once Mr. Clark is in the House of Commons that he's an excellent debater," he said.
"He has a remarkable ability to assert himself. I think it will allow him to set an agenda for the future and convince Canadians that it's in their interests to support his positions and rebuild the party."
Mulroney said Day and the Alliance have failed to gain a level of public support much higher than that of the former Reform party and its leader, Preston Manning.
"I can guarantee you there's not one Alliance strategist who believed that today they'd be at 20 or 22 per cent in the polls. Instead they talked of 30, 35, 38 per cent by fall and they're far from that."
Clark, 61, will fight his byelection in the rural Nova Scotia riding of Kings-Hants.
He is expected to earn a ticket back to the House of Commons he first entered 28 years ago, and where he last sat as an MP in 1993.
Day, 50, is running in the British Columbia riding of Okanagan-Coquihalla. He is expected to win in a landslide.
Mulroney, who unseated Clark as Tory leader in 1983 but made him a senior minister in his government, made a splash in June when he broke a long silence and attacked the Alliance.
He blamed Manning for creating disunity among conservatives.
Mulroney has remained unrelenting in a recent flurry of public appearances. In an interview with CBC-TV's The Magazine, he dismissed the Alliance as the "child of the Reform party."
Mulroney has also used his return to the political spotlight to highlight what he considers to be some of his proudest achievements during his nine years as prime minister. He resigned in 1993.
Earlier this week, Mulroney promoted a book on free trade. He has described free trade as his greatest legacy.
But Sunday, he turned his attention to the failed Meech Lake accord and his government's effort to protect minority rights.
Mulroney said the time will soon come again for a "courageous and visionary" prime minister to tackle issues such as Quebec as a distinct society and the protection of linguistic minorities.
"When that time comes, and it will because it must, English-speaking Quebecers and francophones in other provinces should remember what they had in the duality clause of Meech Lake," Mulroney told the Canadian Jewish Congress.
"And without making too much of what was lost, they should settle for nothing less."
The Meech Lake accord, signed by Mulroney and 10 premiers, died when Manitoba and Newfoundland failed to ratify it by the deadline of midnight June 23, 1990.
The aftermath helped bring about the disintegration of the Tories and fed Reform's popularity in the West and sovereignty in Quebec.
PCs plot coup
Wednesday, September 13, 2000
WOLFVILLE, N.S. -- Just when the Tories thought they had hit rock bottom, they were dragged deeper yesterday by new allegations that there was a covert operation to dump Joe Clark.
The Tory leader acknowledged the party's national president was working behind the scenes canvassing potential donors and supporters about a leadership review.
Clark has seen five MPs leave under his watch at a time when the Canadian Alliance is gaining momentum.
"I found it regrettable that these sorts of things were going on while I was running in a byelection," Clark said after a one-day retreat to plot strategy for an election and the fall parliamentary session.
He said the Tory party's management committee would deal with Peter Van Loan this weekend during a teleconference call.
But Tory MPs weren't so forgiving.
"If Peter Van Loan has a problem with (Clark's leadership) I think Peter should take a serious look elsewhere because this party is fully united behind Joe Clark," said New Brunswick MP Jean Dube.
DENIES CAMPAIGN
Van Loan, meanwhile, issued a press release from his Toronto law office to deny he was orchestrating a coup, but his choice of words left more questions: "I am not conducting a campaign to have a leadership review vote in the party. Our leader has a mandate. Whether he remains as leader or chooses to step down is entirely his decision."
John Laschinger -- who worked on Ontario Premier Mike Harris' 1990 leadership campaign -- was introduced at the meeting as campaign manager for the impending federal election.
Stockwell Day looks forward to taking PM's job
Monday, September 11, 2000
Stockwell Day looked like a man without a care in the world as he strolled into the arena in Summerland, B.C., to cast his ballot in Monday's federal byelection.
Long before the results showed him cruising to an easy victory in Okanagan-Coquihalla, Day seemed to be relishing another challenge: trying to become Canada's next prime minister.
"I'll look forward to keeping (Stornoway) warm and tidy until the prime minister arrives there after the next federal election," he grinned, referring to the Opposition leader's official residence in Ottawa.
Day is no stranger to new challenges. The former Alberta treasurer has worked as a logger, auctioneer, counsellor, pastor, meat packer and deckhand.
He is 50, but his boyish face and seemingly boundless energy make him seem much younger.
Day says he entered federal politics after becoming convinced the Alberta model of debt- and tax-cutting could work for Canada.
"I've found certain things that work, which can be applied at the federal level," he said on a recent campaign stop spreading his right-wing gospel.
"Those principles that work in a province, will work in a city and the nation as well."
Family blood is thick with conservative politics. His father, Stockwell Day Sr., ran for the Social Credit party, losing to social democrat icon Tommy Douglas.
Day began honing his political skills as administrator for a private religious school in Bentley, Alta., and assistant pastor of the Pentecostal church that ran it.
His Christian fundamentalist beliefs, with strong views against abortion and homosexuality, may become a political Achilles heel, say some analysts.
However, others note he seems to have eased off his moral pronouncements lately.
Striding through Penticton's Memorial Arena last week, Day was greeted by many as a newcomer who deserves a chance.
"I can make it really simple," said Penticton resident Randy Gallagher. "He hasn't lied to me yet and every other politician has. It's definitely time for younger, fresher leadership."
Day was apparently so confident of victory that he spent little time in the sprawling riding, which covers almost 23,000 square kilometres. But he said he will live in the tourist-friendly fruit-growing region after the byelection.
Day was born in Barrie, Ont. His father managed Zellers stores and moved his family frequently -- across Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes.
In 1967, Day moved to Victoria and two years later, a long-haired Stock was living in a rundown cottage on Vancouver Island, occasionally smoking pot.
He met his wife, Valerie Martin, in Victoria and the couple married in 1971. They moved to Kelowna, but headed for Edmonton after Day's auctioneering business was destroyed by fire.
The Days worked as youth counsellors in Edmonton, often taking drug and alcohol addicts off the streets and into their home.It was sometimes scary for his family.
"When I was 12 or 13 one guy came storming into our house highly intoxicated, ruckusing around," recalled son Luke, now a 26-year-old stockbroker in Edmonton.
"It took some time to get it solved and the next day Stock was willing to give him a second chance. He's always willing to give people a second chance."
In 1976, Day moved his wife and three boys to Inuvik, where he worked for an oil transport company.
"There was a lot of snow," said eldest son, Logan. "And he would build us furniture out of snow -- couches, chairs and a fake TV -- then sprinkle water on them and it would last all winter."
Day is close to his boys. As teens he would often take them and their friends on camping and skiing trips, said Logan.
It was Day who found Logan's wife, Juliana Thiessen, a former Miss Canada Universe. Day read in a magazine that Thiessen, a promising student interested in politics, had been dumped by her boyfriend so he told Logan to pursue her.
Day first won office as a provincial Conservative in Red Deer, Alta., in 1986. He served in Premier Ralph Klein's cabinet as labour minister and treasurer, where he continued the government's tax-cutting agenda
Day, Clark win byelections
Clark's victory tainted as two MPs jump ship Monday, September 11, 2000
Canadian Alliance Leader Stockwell Day scored a runaway byelection victory in British Columbia on Monday as Conservative chief Joe Clark pondered a bittersweet win on the other side of the country.
Day ran far ahead of the eight-candidate field in the mountain valleys of the interior riding of Okanagan-Coquihalla, taking 70 per cent of the popular vote. His closest opponent, New Democrat Ken Ellis, garnered just 13 per cent.
As Day nailed down his victory and first Commons seat, Clark's triumph in the Nova Scotia riding of Kings-Hants was overshadowed by news of two more defections from his fractious caucus.
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Joe Clark, the federal Conservative leader, appears subdued as his daughter Catherine looks on after winning the byelection in the riding of Kings-Hants in Wolfville, N.S. on Monday, Sept. 11, 2000. Clark announced that two of his MPs are leaving the party to join the Liberals.CP PHOTO/Andrew Vaughan)
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The unexpected blow even evoked sympathy from Day:
"I have to say sincerely I feel badly for Joe," the Opposition leader-elect told reporters. "He fought a good election fight and he should be allowed to enjoy this night."
Clark had little time to savour victory. Moments after he was declared winner, caucus chairman Rick Borotsik confirmed that Quebec MPs David Price and Diane St-Jacques were to defect to the Liberals on Tuesday.
Clark, who won 53 per cent of the vote, blamed the defections on Prime Minister Jean Chretien, saying that timing them to coincide with the byelection was "absolutely offensive."
"It's the worst of the old politics," the Tory leader said, adding he believes the two departing MPs will regret a move he called "disappointing" and "opportunistic."
Day's victory built on the swell he's ridden since winning the Alliance leadership in July. Clark's momentum grounded on the defections.
The byelections bring two party leaders into the Commons: Day, the 50-year-old former Alberta treasurer and Clark, the 61-year-old former prime minister.
Day said he spoke to Chretien by phone after his victory.
He said the prime minister told him: "I'm looking forward to seeing you in the House of Commons."
In the House, Day will lead a party anticipating the chance of power; Clark a party troubled by defections, division and debt.
Clark gets a platform in the Commons in the run-up to the next federal election, widely expected by spring, albeit a platform with fewer supporters than just months ago.
Day gets a better platform, with the perks and privileges of Opposition leader, including the first shot in the daily question period and the lion's share of media attention.
Day has put leadership concerns behind him, Clark must be alert for more rumbling from his restive colleagues.
Before the ice melted in the celebratory drinks in Nova Scotia, there were some Tories muttering about a leadership review.
Clark said he'll nip that in the bud: "We'll settle that and we'll settle it fairly quickly."
Day has a fund-raiser in Vancouver and meetings in Toronto before he heads to Ottawa on Thursday or Friday to prepare for the opening of Parliament next Monday.
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FINAL RESULTS
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OKANAGAN-COQUIHALLA, 227 polls
Dennis Baker, Independent: 221 (0.8)
Stockwell Day, Canadian Alliance: 19,210 (70.1)
Ken Ellis, NDP: 3,471 (12.7)
Rad Gajic, Independent: 113 (0.4)
Jack Peach, Canadian Action Party: 1,157 (4.2)
Joan Russow, Green party: 2,116 (7.7)
Boris St-Maurice, Independent: 438 (1.6)
Jim Strauss, Independent: 682 (2.5)
KINGS-HANTS, 229 polls
Joe Clark, Progressive Conservatives: 14,525 (53.4)
Gerry Fulton, Canadian Alliance: 4,385 (16.1)
Kaye Johnson, NDP: 7,374 (27.1)
Alex Neron, Marijuana Party: 697 (2.6)
John Turmel, Independent: 222 (0.8)
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In his victory speech in Penticton, B.C., Day stirred the faithful by reciting the tax-cut pledge that has been his mantra.
"We are now one step closer, you could say one Day closer, to forming the next federal government," he told cheering supporters.
An Alliance government will offer help to hard-working Canadians and their families, he said.
"It's time . . . they receive a break. It's time for families, at the end of every month, to have more money left in their paycheques."
He cited his record as a provincial treasurer, saying he produced policies which cut taxes and created investment incentives while helping those unable to help themselves.
Day concluded with a Kennedyesque paraphrase of Robert Frost: "We have a lot of work to do, we have promises to keep and we have just a few more miles to go before we sleep."
The victory clearly buoyed Alliance supporters, including Alberta MP Deb Gray, who said: "Let me tell the prime minister tonight, there's a new kid in town."
As the Alliance celebrated, the Tories pondered the latest defections.
"It sucks," said Borotsik
Peter MacKay, a Nova Scotia Tory MP and a Clark loyalist, said Price and St-Jacques are making a big mistake.
"I think they're putting their heads in a noose . . . The timing was impeccable to maximize the damage. It's the epitome of cynicism."
The defections cast a pall over Clark's success in resuming a parliamentary career cut short when he stepped away from politics in 1993.
He's already lost three MPs since he returned to the political stage about two years ago.
The byelection victories left the Tories with 17 seats and the Alliance with 58 seats.
However, the Tory defections will drop the Tories to 15 seats, down from the 19 they had a year ago.
MP Jim Jones, the Tory's only Ontario MP, defected to the Alliance this month.
The Tories also lost Newfoundland MP Bill Matthews to the Liberals last year and in May, Quebec Tory MP Andre Harvey decided to sit as an Independent.
The president and several other key members of the Tories' Quebec organization have defected to the Alliance.
Brian Palliser, a respected Manitoba Tory who ran against Clark for the leadership, has said he will run for the Alliance in the next election.
Ex-rival Manning to act as Day's senior adviser
Tuesday, August 1, 2000
ST-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU, Que. (CP) -- The two men who battled for the leadership of the Canadian Alliance now will work closely together in an effort to oust Jean Chretien's Liberals.
Stockwell Day said Tuesday that ex-rival Preston Manning will act as his senior adviser.
Manning, who led the Reform party before Day defeated him for the Alliance stewardship last month, will offer guidance on a wide range of issues, Day said as he announced his shadow cabinet.
Manning was unavailable for comment Tuesday, but Day said his former challenger is happy with the role.
"This was exactly along the lines of what would be most meaningful to him," Day said at a news conference in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., where he's taking a course to improve his French. Day spoke to reporters in both languages.
Day said Manning's "ability to have insights into both the past and the future are very important to me ... I'm honoured to have this very close and special one-on-one relationship with him."
When asked whether Manning has already offered Day advice, the Alliance leader chuckled and said yes, but would not provide details.
Manning also will take on a sort of pet project: drafting Alliance policy on science and technology, an area the party says the Liberals have neglected.
Members of Day's shadow cabinet will act as critics of a specific portfolio but the MPs won't receive any extra pay. His choices were expected to signal how the party will unite Manning and Day supporters after the leadership contest.
Former Manning loyalists, including Alberta MPs Deborah Grey and Diane Ablonczy, will remain in high-profile portfolios in Day's shadow cabinet.
Grey will continue to act as the party's deputy leader and also will keep tabs on Deputy Prime Minister Herb Gray and Heritage Minister Sheila Copps.
Ablonczy will remain human resources development critic, while fellow Alberta MP Jason Kenney, who was Day's campaign manager during the Alliance race, was appointed finance critic.
Former leadership candidate Keith Martin was left off Day's list.
Day, 49, said he did not make many changes to the shadow cabinet because his aim is to shake up the Liberal government, not his party. But there were some notable adjustments.
British Columbia MP Val Meredith, who backed Ontario Conservative strategist Tom Long in the Alliance leadership race, was promoted to the important position of health critic.
The role had previously been filled by Alberta MP and Manning supporter Bob Mills.
Gary Lunn, also of British Columbia, who supported Long before joining Day's camp, also got a step up when Day appointed him revenue critic.
Day also announced Tuesday the creation of a special task force on ways to reduce government bureaucracy and increase efficiency.
The former Alberta treasurer has been in Quebec since last week trying to improve his French and boost support for his party. The Alliance is hoping to field a full slate of 75 Quebec candidates in the next federal election.
Day said Tuesday he sees his shadow cabinet as a government-in-waiting, but conceded if an election was called today the Alliance would have its work cut out for it.
"We'll be ready for a fall election, but if an election were to be called right now, we'd still have work to do."
Day is seeking a seat in the British Columbia riding of Okanagan-Coquihalla, but Prime Minister Chretien has yet to set a byelection date.
Responding to recent media reports, Day also reiterated the Alliance is not looking to form a coalition with the Bloc Quebecois in an effort to unseat the Liberals.
PM in no hurry, Stockwell's day will come... eventually
Chretien in no rush to give Day shot at Commons Wednesday, July 19, 2000
VANCOUVER -- Prime Minister Jean Chretien won't be rushed in granting the new Canadian Alliance leader his wish for a quick B.C. byelection.
Chretien even refused to promise he'd call a byelection in time for Stockwell Day to win the Okanagan-Coquihalla seat before September.
That means Day could be left out of the Commons when Parliament resumes for the fall session.
"We'll see," Chretien said yesterday in Vancouver when pressed on the issue. "The first priority is to consult the people of the riding. I want to hear what they have to say."
Chretien declined to put a timeline on the consultation, but said the polling of Liberals has already started in the interior B.C. riding.
POLITICAL TRADITION
Chretien has six months to call the byelection, but traditionally the prime minister calls for a quick byelection so a new opposition leader can gain a Commons seat quickly.
Chretien himself was extended that courtesy after winning his party's leadership in 1990.
Alliance MP Jim Hart stepped down Monday to ensure Day would have a seat in the Commons before the Commons fall session. But Chretien said he'll leave it up to the riding to decide, even if he's anxious to get Day in the Commons so they can have it out on important issues.
Chretien said he has a problem with both the flat tax trumpeted by Day and the opposition leader's promotion of decentralization.
"For me, I'm looking forward to confronting him because I have a lot of questions to ask," he said.
Chretien brushed off Day's criticisms his government is soft on crime, noting the crime rate has dropped since he took power.
Alliance could team up with Bloc, says Day
Friday, July 28, 2000
NORTH HATLEY, Que. (CP) -- Canadian Alliance Leader Stockwell Day said Friday he's willing to form political ties with the separatist Bloc Quebecois if it means ousting the federal Liberals from power.
"I'm not big on labels," Day told reporters in English.
"If there are people who embrace the views of the Canadian Alliance -- and believe we need a federal government that is limited in size, that respects the provinces and that wants lower taxes -- I'm not interested where they may have been in the past politically."
Day, who is in Quebec for a few days to sharpen his French and drum up support for the Alliance, left the door open to forming a coalition with the Bloc if the Liberals form a minority government at the next election.
"The Canadian Alliance position is to be open to anybody who's interested in a truly conservative form of government."
Alliance MP Rahim Jaffer, who accompanied Day, said the idea of an Alliance-Bloc coalition has its merits despite the ideological gulf that separates the parties on the national question.
"I think they would be very open to the idea of working together but I don't necessarily imagine they would jump ranks and join us," said Jaffer, MP for Edmonton-Strathcona.
Jaffer, who followed Quebec affairs closely as a Reform MP, said he "wouldn't rule out" a coalition government.
"Our agendas are very different in many areas but in terms of fiscal issues and reshaping the federalist system there would be some common ground."
When Day beat out Preston Manning for the Alliance leadership, he was touted as the fledgling party's better bet for garnering votes in seat-rich Quebec and Ontario.
But some people in North Hatley said the Canadian Alliance will have trouble shaking the perception that its predecessor, the Reform party, was hostile to Quebec nationalists.
"The impression will always be the same among francophones," said Yvan Dagenais, the owner of an arts and crafts store.
"Even Quebec anglophones don't share the same positions as anglos out West on religion and homosexual rights.
"(Day) has his work cut out for him in Quebec."
Day, clad in shorts and sandals, met with the mayor of North Hatley as part of his stay in Quebec to brush up on his French and drum up political support.
Before heading out Friday on a short fishing excursion on Lake Massawippi, Day used his French to take a jab at Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
"I used to swim in this lake while vacationing here as a boy -- and Jean Chretien was already in the House of Commons," said Day, 49, who spent part of his youth in Montreal.
"It's been more than 30 years. I was a young boy and he was already an MP. I think that's wonderful."
A new Day, a new battle
Stockwell to prepare Alliance for election Sunday, July 9, 2000
TORONTO (CP) -- Stockwell Day, the newly crowned prince of the Canadian Alliance, moved to a different campaign Sunday designed to prepare the party for the next federal election.
After trouncing Alliance founder Preston Manning on Saturday, Day's packed agenda includes building bridges with MPs who supported his rival, more French lessons and winning a Commons seat soon.
Day won a resounding victory in the leadership race, beating Manning by a vote of 72,349 to 41,869 for 63.3 per cent of support.
The former Alberta treasurer is now Opposition Leader and sits atop the largest conservative political movement in Canada, one driven to unite the right-wing vote by eating away at support for Joe Clark's Conservatives.
Day's success in the leadership race, with his well-marketed image of a bold young politician committed to the average Canadian, is a source of anxiety for every political party in the Commons -- particularly governing Liberals.
But much of how Day, 49, fares on the federal scene will depend on what he does in the next while.
His advisers moved into transition mode immediately after the result was clear.
Priority one will be smoothing some of the ruffled feathers in the Alliance caucus, including meetings which each MP over the next three days.
Accusations and insults were common between MPs who supported Day and those loyal to Manning in the last two weeks of the leadership campaign, creating rifts some feared would never be resolved.
Manning and Day each called for unity Saturday, but the new leader has a lot of personal schmoozing to do.
MP Jason Kenney, Day's campaign manager, said he's confident everything will be on track by Wednesday's first caucus meeting under the new leader.
"I've already talked to a number of (Manning's) strongest supporters in the caucus and I think the rifts are already healed," Kenney said Sunday.
"The size of the majority last night really did that. Because we ran a postive, respectful, high-road campaign, there are very little sore feelings on the other side."
Day will also have to find an appropriate position for Manning to fill. Some speculate Manning will hold a senior role in caucus befitting an elder statesman.
"I think he'll play a key role in this and you'll see his imprint on a lot of the changes that are yet to come," said MP Monte Solberg.
But there won't be room for everyone in the front rows of the Opposition benches and Day will likely change the face of the Alliance by giving different MPs higher profiles.
House leader Chuck Strahl, a Manning loyalist, was sanguine about the prospects of demotion.
"The new leader has to put his own team in place in whatever positions and also recognize he has this fence-mending thing to do," Strahl said.
"In our caucus, it's entirely up to the leader. It's a one-man show."
After Day deals with caucus issues, he'll have to consider his own position in Parliament.
He has promised to seek a seat as soon as possible, having received offers from Alberta MPs Cliff Breitkreuz and Ian McClelland to step aside. Saskatchewan MP Allan Kerpan said Sunday he also plans to offer his seat to Day.
Tory Leader Joe Clark has challenged Day to run against him in Calgary Centre, currently held by Alliance MP Eric Lowther.
Day adviser Rod Love said Sunday that nothing is being ruled out.
"Joe should be careful what he asks for, because he just might get it."
Day will spend part of the summer touring Canada to raise his profile and seek potential Alliance candidates for the next election.
He'll also fit in more French lessons.
Day's advisers will be fine-tuning his public persona and remarks, making sure he's ready to hit the federal stage without hitting any significant snags.
Prime Minister Jean Chretien says he's spoiling for battle with Day on values, especially to challenge him on some of his more contentious positions on social issues.
Day is an evangelical Christian, strongly against abortion, in favour of capital punishment and uncomfortable with the extension of pension benefits to gays.
Stephen Harper, president of the National Citizens Coalition and former Reform MP, said he's not convinced the party has a chance at beating the Liberals just yet.
"My own guess is it will be difficult for him to make a big breakthrough in the next election because the Tory party . . . will still be some kind of factor in the next election," Harper told CBC Newsworld.
"Even if the Alliance makes gains, probably challenging the Liberals head-to-head is a two-election process."
Day couldn't cut it in snap election, Manning says
Tuesday, July 4, 2000
OTTAWA (CP) -- Stockwell Day could cost the Canadian Alliance its shot at government because he wouldn't be able to handle an election this fall, says Canadian Alliance leadership rival Preston Manning.
The former Reform leader said he's learned how to run an election campaign during his seven years on Parliament Hill.
"We could be in an election within six months," Manning said Tuesday in an interview.
"There's no time for a learning curve.
"Having gone through those wars before -- both fighting the Liberals and learning to manage (sensitive) issues in front of the (media) -- would stand the Alliance in good stead."
Manning met with a steady stream of reporters Tuesday, granting interviews after a week of dodging questions. His comments set the tone for Wednesday's leaders debate in suburban Nepean, the first time the two men will be alone together on stage.
During the first round of the leadership race, five candidates took questions in a series of mundane debates that featured few fireworks. Manning, in particular, took great pains to compliment his rivals and stay away from divisive issues.
That tack has fallen by the wayside. The stakes are considerably higher with only two people on Saturday's second ballot and the debate is the last opportunity for candidates to perform for a national audience.
Since Manning's poor first-round results June 24, eight points behind Day, he has gone on the offensive with pointed attacks.
Manning has characterized Day as a provincial politician without the experience to handle sensitive issues such as abortion and gay rights. He acknowledges he holds many of the same personal views as Day, but says he manages them better.
"I'm careful in my statements on those subjects and make sure I pick the time and the place when they won't be misunderstood, because you can spend 10 days trying to repair the damage if you make a mistake there," Manning said Tuesday.
"In a 35-day election campaign, that can be fatal."
Day countered Manning's criticism by citing his record in Alberta, where he has won four elections and held several cabinet posts. In the 1993 Alberta election, when Conservative Premier Ralph Klein swept to power, the Tories were at 17 per cent in the polls heading into the campaign.
"People who have come up to me in every constituency as I've travelled across the country (are) suggesting that they would put their names up to be candidates," Day said in an interview from the B.C. interior.
"People are climbing aboard by the hour and we will be ready for an early election call."
Day still refuses to directly criticize Manning and didn't refer to him during a 20-minute speech to supporters at a fund-raising breakfast in Kelowna, B.C.
Instead, he warned supporters Tuesday not to be complacent going into the weekend runoff, while hammering home the right-wing coalition's message of tax cuts, justice and Senate reform and bolstering the armed forces.
Support for the Alliance has risen during the leadership campaign because of media exposure, he said, "but it's not the medium itself, it's the message."
Day didn't directly address the growing clamour over his social conservatism, saying instead he wanted to avoid politically correct labelling. The Alliance, he said, would be an open forum for discussing issues.
"You will always have your say, you may not always have your way."
At a campaign meeting Tuesday night in Cranbrook, B.C., Day said he expects the Liberals to attack his record of social conservatism but that voters will see the ploy for what it is.
"I always maintain that truth prevails," he said. "We know that one thing the Liberals will do is use personal attacks -- whenever they feel threatened that's been their policy in the past.
"But Canadians are seeing through that. Canadians want to know 'What have you done?' and 'What are you prepared to do -- are you prepared to act for us and listen to us as citizens?' These are things that Canadians want to know."
Manning won more B.C. votes than Day on the first ballot, so Day is travelling the province to shore up support. B.C. organizers for failed candidate Tom Long, an Ontario Tory strategist, have gone over to Day's camp.
Manning will spend the days following Wednesday's debate on a whirlwind helicopter tour, shuttling around Ontario and Alberta with Long.
"This endorsement from Tom Long is very significant . . . because Tom's actually got experience in winning elections and seats in Ontario," he said.
Meanwhile, Manning supporter Deborah Grey, who's been serving as interim party leader, said Tuesday the Day campaign is using dirty tricks.
Grey, in Lethbridge, Alta., said Day campaigners called two Alliance MPs -- Rahim Jaffir and John Williams -- and threatened their nominations to run in the next election if they fail to support Day.
A spokesman for the Day campaign denied the allegation.
"Stockwell would not condone something like that and no one in the Day campaign would do that," said Paul Fitzgerald.
Some Alliance MPs who support Day are facing strong contenders for nomination in their ridings from Manning supporters, he said, including Calgary MP Myron Thompson.
"If people at the local level want to fight dirty in the nomination battle, that's the choice of the other candidate. Day is not condoning it," says Fitzgerald.
Grey took some tough shots at Day at a breakfast meeting, calling him inexperienced and suggesting it was easy for him to serve as Alberta treasurer with oil at $34 a barrel.
Day is getting a lot of media attention because he has a fresh, new face, she said.
"He's prettier than I am. That's why they're interested in him."
Manning bills himself as voice of moderation
Denies trying to brand Day as extremist Monday, July 3, 2000
OTTAWA (CP) -- Preston Manning continued to sell himself Monday as the consensus builder who can score an electoral breakthrough for the Canadian Alliance -- while denying the hidden intent of his sales pitch is to brand Stockwell Day as an extremist who would splinter the party.
"There's very little negative campaigning," Manning insisted in an impromptu news conference at his campaign headquarters Monday.
Day, Manning troll for votes but don't snipe in Alliance leadership
Friday, June 30, 2000
EDMONTON (CP) -- Stockwell Day collected some key supporters Friday as he dropped by his home province for a luncheon that looked more like a victory party than a campaign stop in the Canadian Alliance leadership race.
About 300 cheering supporters, many of them youthful, chanted "Go Stock Go!" as the former Alberta provincial treasurer entered a standing-room only venue at the downtown Royal Glenora Club.
Day refrained from taking any shots at his leadership rival, Preston Manning, and repeated his promise that the former Reform leader would be welcome in a Day-led Alliance.
"I know Preston wants to stay on in a very significant capacity.He has said that himself," Day said. "I have said that if I don't win on the 8th (of July).
"So you're going to see us together. I'm looking forward to that."
In last weekend's first ballot Day finished with 44 per cent of the votes compared with Manning's 36 per cent. A run-off ballot is set for next Saturday in Toronto.
Earlier in the day, in Richmond, B.C., Day got a boost from Conservative Senator Gerry St. Germain, who announced he is supporting Day and now plans to sit as an Independent in the upper house.
St. German called it "a decision to put the interests of the country ahead of partisanship" and said it was one of the toughest he'd ever made.
"I know we have to go forward, and going forward means uniting the conservative cause in this country."
Day called the endorsement a high honour.
"The fact that a senator is saying he believes in Senate reform, believes in an elected Senate and believes Canada needs to see the types of changes that Canadians are asking for is so significant."
But Conservative Leader Joe Clark discounted the defection.
"I think it's quite natural that some people will be drawn to the positions Mr. Day represents, but the great majority of Canadians will not," Clark said.
Manning breezed through London and Sarnia, Ont., on Friday as he trolled for support from those who voted for Ontario Tory strategist Tom Long on the first ballot.
Long finished a distant third last weekend and personally supports Manning. But many of Long's senior advisers, including the powerful "blue committee" of Ontario and federal Tories who helped forge the Alliance, have already decided to back Day.
"I'm asking Tom's supporters, and my supporters, and all Alliance supporters who want to win in Ontario to choose this winning combination on July the 8th," Manning said.
In Ontario's southwest, where Day stormed most ridings in the first ballot, Manning is eyeing the regions where Long finished first.
He urged supporters to come out in force for the next vote. He also told the London audience that he -- not Day -- is the candidate ready to become prime minister should the Alliance have to square off against the Jean Chretien Liberals in a fall election.
Both men have been careful not to snipe at each other. But their differences may come into sharper focus on Wednesday when the two are scheduled for a debate in Nepean, Ont., near Ottawa.
"There's been a lot of respect among the candidates," Day said. "We're doing everything we can to keep it at that high level. We'll link arms with a good team when this is over on the 8th and I'm looking forward to that."
The closest anyone came to a criticism Friday was Edmonton South MP Ian McClelland, a Reformer who is leaving federal politics to run as a Tory in the next Alberta election.
McClelland said Manning should have stepped down after the first ballot.
"I thought he missed a golden opportunity to do something generous and statesmanlike last Saturday when it was clar that, although Stockwell didn't have 51 per cent of the votes, Preston had lost," he said after the luncheon.
"Having made the decision not to do that ... I hope he is not humiliated, and I don't think he will be, but I don't think he will increase his vote.
"If anything, the distance between the two will increase -- and even dramatically."
A group of young Ontario Tories, including all three youth chairmen on the Long campaign, also threw their support to Day on Friday.
"I got involved in politics because of Mike Harris and I see many of the things I like about our premier in Mr. Day," said Jon Bromstein, policy director for the Ontario Progressive Conservative party.
Val Meredith, a British Columbia MP who has been a Manning supporter since the Reform party started 13 years ago, also said she is joining the Day camp.
It was a dent the Manning campaign could do without since British Columbia and New Brunswick were the only two provinces where Manning got more votes than Day.
Day appeared to gain support from a younger MP as well. Edmonton Strathcona's Rahim Jaffer, who was behind Long, was at the Day luncheon.
Some former Long supporters who came out to meet Manning in London said they're still trying to decide how they'll vote.
"I was leaning towards Stockwell Day, but now that Tom Long has made the decision that he's made to support Preston, I've decided that I'm going to sit back and take the next week to reflect," former Tory MP Daniel Mailer said.
"I'm not sure how Stockwell's positions on some social conservative issues are going to play in Ontario and east of Ontario."
Others, like Long's former London campaign captain Jeff Marshall, have already decided to follow Long's lead and back Manning.
"I decided to go with where I knew Tom was going to go and who I think is the best person to be prime minister," Marshall said.
Long camp considers Manning a long shot
Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Preston Manning's chances of pulling off an upset victory in the Canadian Alliance leadership campaign got poor odds from the Tom Long camp yesterday.
Manning needs to corral another 15,000 votes before the July 8 runoff, either from party members who ducked the initial vote or from supporters of Long who finished third.
Edmonton Strathcona MP Rahim Jaffer, a Long backer, said the Ontario candidate's team - or what's left of it - must work hard to keep Long's supporters from leaving the CA.
"Most of them came to the party for Tom," Jaffer said. "Some of them are going to drop off before (the runoff)."
Of those who remain, Jaffer expects them to split roughly 50-50 between Manning and front-runner Stockwell Day. He said that wouldn't give Manning enough support to turn it around.
"The margin's too wide," declared Jaffer, who plans to make up his mind between Day and Manning by week's end.
A Long campaigner who asked not to be identified said campaign organizers blame the furore over bogus memberships sold by the Long campaign in Quebec for the failure to get the vote out.
"I think the campaign is blaming Stock's people," he said. "I mean, what happened in Quebec was obviously wrong. But there's this feeling that all the campaigns were doing the same things.
"And it distracted (voters) from policy issues in the campaign. That weakened Tom."
The campaigner expects Long to depart without endorsing either candidate - a "plague-on-both-houses" tactic that would reflect bad blood with the Day campaign and the distaste many Long supporters feel for Manning.
"There's a feeling out there that Preston's taken the party as far as he can take it," he said.
"I don't think Tom will declare publicly. I'd say the majority of his supporters won't vote in the runoff. Of those that do, most will likely back Stock."
Long reportedly spent the day thanking backers by phone for their support. He's not expected to announce whether he's declaring for either Day or Manning for a few days.
"We're going to work hard to keep (our supporters) in for the second ballot," said Long spokesman Sandra Buckler.
Meanwhile, fourth-place candidate Keith Martin announced yesterday he's supporting Manning. Martin said he would happily serve under Manning or Day but feels Manning has the experience to lead the CA caucus in Ottawa.
Manning goes after Day
Who sticks to attacking Liberals Monday, June 26, 2000
The polite tone of the Canadian Alliance leadership race evaporated Monday at the start of round two, with Preston Manning zooming in on Stockwell Day's sore spots.
Manning, who trailed Day by eight percentage points in the first ballot vote last weekend, took a pointed shot at his opponent's conservative views on abortion and gay rights during a speech to supporters in Toronto.
He also picked up the endorsement of Keith Martin, who finished a distant fourth in the first round but is a leading voice of the party's moderate wing.
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Canadian Alliance leadership candidate Preston Manning (right) is applauded by wife Sandra as they arrive at a party luncheon in Toronto Monday JUne 26, 2000. (CP PHOTO/Kevin Frayer)
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Martin, who has been cool to Day's outspoken social conservatism, issued a statement in Victoria saying Manning's parliamentary experience and grasp of national issues make him "the best candidate to lead the Alliance."
Manning must close the vote gap between himself and Day before the runoff vote July 8. He needs to gather about 15,000 more votes, either from some 85,000 party members who didn't vote last time or supporters of failed candidate Tom Long.
"Who can hold the Alliance together and expand it?" Manning asked.
"Who is the builder of alliances? I am a person who can get people to work together rather than polarize them."
He also went after Day's lack of experience in federal politics.
"Now is not the time to put in a new, inexperienced quarterback," he told a breakfast meeting of supporters in Ottawa.
"Now is the time to give the ball to the veteran quarterback because I do know how to get into the end zone and that's what I intend to do."
Martin echoed that assessment, noting Manning's time as leader of the official Opposition in the Commons and "understanding of federal issues."
That could be seen as a none-too-subtle slap at Day, whose career has been confined to Alberta provincial politics --although Martin did add that he would be happy to continue serving as an MP under either leader.
In Calgary, Day attacked federal Liberals instead of Manning. He's been leaving the mudslinging to his advisers, who speak freely about how Manning's day has come and gone and he should step aside.
"As far as Mr. Manning and myself are concerned, we see the bigger picture and we all have to work together when this is over," said Day.
But his campaign chairman, Alliance MP Jason Kenny, questioned Manning's decision to keep fighting.
"Perhaps they haven't recognized that the people made a decision on Saturday and that was that it's time for a new leader for a new party," Kenny said.
Both Manning and Day ended Monday in the Toronto area. They'll spend much of this week in Ontario, with a big emphasis on urging members to return to the polls one more time.
That will be tough. A respectable 60 per cent of some 200,000 Alliance members turned out last week. Most second ballots experience a drop in voters.
Day, who surpassed even Long in Ontario in the first round, can try to sell himself as having broad support. Manning was never able to make an electoral breakthrough in the province with Reform.
Day got a boost in that direction Monday with support from Ontario Tory Joe Spina, who voted for Long on the first ballot.
"He is the only candidate who can win seats in Ontario and form the next federal government," said Spina.
"I will be working hard over the next two weeks to ensure that all my Ontario Conservative colleagues who voted for Tom Long on the first ballot will throw their support to Day on the second."
Manning and Day will devote considerable energy to bringing Long's organizers and supporters onside. Day has secured the support of Long's B.C. team.
"At the start, those people didn't know me. And over the last 90 days, they've had the opportunity . . . to look at my record and I think that's been a comfort to them," Day said.
"Also, as they've looked at the broad coalition that we've been able to build . . . that's given them encouragement."
Long himself has not publicly endorsed either candidate and is unlikely to do so any time soon, said spokeswoman Sandra Buckler.
Day captured about 44 per cent of the vote, while Manning hit 36 per cent and Long got 18 per cent.
"There's no new memberships to be sold now," said Alliance MP Chuck Strahl, a Manning supporter.
"This is two weeks' fishing in the same pond for the same fish," he said.
"I don't expect that Stock Day expects to win a lot from the Manning camp and, likewise, we don't expect to woo a bunch of his voters over our way."
Manning's advisers, staff and caucus supporters have been grumbling about Day since Saturday's disappointing results.
They have started publicly speculating that Day will ruin the party by driving a wedge between social and fiscal conservatives.
Many Long loyalists were uncomfortable with Day's brand of conservatism, especially since some Day supporters attacked Long early in the campaign for employing openly homosexual staff.
Manning's camp is banking on swaying new Alliance recruits by portraying him as a tolerant bridge-builder and Day as a standard bearer for the religious right.
Day brought thousands of anti-abortion and church groups into his campaign.
Both men are evangelical Christians and both men are pro-life. But Manning is quieter about his views.
Manning rejects graceful execution
Monday, June 26, 2000
CALGARY -- The white flag of gentlemanly surrender was readied Saturday night but Preston Manning refused to wave it.
If he had, it would have been magical.
So indicative is Stockwell Day's first-ballot win for the leadership of the Canadian Alliance that Manning could have honourably conceded defeat and then, with great pride and even greater fanfare, he would have taken his rightful place in history as a mentor and one of the more innovative and gallant politicians Canada has ever had the fortune to witness.
The moment was there for him to seize.
But he let it pass.
Those close to him, including top strategist Rick Anderson (who will likely deny this scenario), quietly conceded Manning was somewhat shattered by the outcome of the vote, that concession was briefly discussed, but then reverently left for the founder of the Reform Party and father of the new Alliance to ultimately decide his next move.
The pain was evident in his face as he took to the podium Saturday night. Voice cracking, he pleaded, figuratively on his knees, for the 100,000 Alliance members who didn't vote to come to his aid and provide him with a second-ballot victory when the show moves to Toronto on July 8.
NOT A QUITTER
No one had ever seen Manning beg before.
And it was uncomfortable to watch.
In his refusal to accept defeat, he promised a resurrection of supporters. From where, who knows. But he is not a quitter.
Uncharacteristically, he wouldn't scrum with the media. In a press conference yesterday, he talked about going the distance, but wouldn't say how or why.
From the onset, conservatives with a grasp on reality have realized that Manning, despite being honest and forthright, was not the man who could go against Jean Chretien's majority Liberals and take enough seats in Ontario to become the next government.
Twice he had tried and twice he had failed.
Manning's weakness has always been his poor record in Ontario -- with his Reform party being snookered in the 1997 federal election, going from one seat in 1993 to an embarrassing none in the next poll.
With Manning as head of the new Alliance, what would be the difference between it and Reform?
With Day, it could be different. That seems to be the cry. Not only did Day best Manning across the country (with the exception of B.C.), he took him in Ontario where a breakthrough is direly needed.
Without it, the Alliance has no chance of forming a government, not even as a minority.
If this had been a traditional leadership convention, Canada would know today who is leading the Alliance into the next election. Ontario backroom boy Tom Long, third on the ballot, would have been hauled into a corner and promised the world by both Manning and Day. It's a game Long knows well from his years steering and manipulating the successful campaigns of Ontario Premier Mike Harris.
It's his forte.
At that moment, Long would have been the most powerful man in the Telus Convention Centre. The king-maker. His supporters would be looking for his lead, the appropriate nod of the head, the flip of his coin, to see who he deemed worthy of his backing.
Long's 18% would have broken the back of 50%-plus-one. And then it would have been over.
On Saturday night, however, Long gave no public indication as to who he preferred -- Preston Manning or Stockwell Day.
Instead, he let it all hang. And that, too, was disappointing. Anti-climactic.
FINAL CURTAIN
Until the final curtain on July 8, the Manning and Day camps will be either chained to their telephones or living on airplanes as they attempt to muscle the support of the 201,996 Alliance members across Canada, particularly the approximately 85,000 who chose not to register their first-ballot support.
The key, of course, is Ontario. With 64,228 Alliance members, it is second only to Alberta's 66,408, and has almost twice the membership of third-place British Columbia.
Quebec, excluding those resting in the cemeteries of Bonaventure-Gaspe-Iles-de-la-Madeleine-Pabok, has a paid-up Alliance membership of 11,960, just 4,000 short of Manitoba and Saskatchewan combined.
It is an odd compilation.
In the end, however, conservatism may have a chance, not with Manning -- same old, same old -- but with a man whose day is close to coming.
Aligning support
Candidates make final pitches Saturday, June 24, 2000
Canadian Alliance candidates put their best feet forward last night at the Telus Convention Centre, in a last-ditch effort to win the loyalty of 200,000 party members.
In front of a crowd of about 1,400 -- less than the 2,000 that organizers had hoped would show up -- the perceived two front-runners fought a duel of political records.
Former Reform party leader Preston Manning caused a stir when he waded into the crowd before the speeches, sparking a flurry of sign jostling and verbal jousting.
Later, following a rousing video montage of his political career, Manning told the audience he can bridge the gap between fiscal and social conservatives.
"We need the supporters of both and I have the experience in getting both to work together," he said.
"Think ahead! The leader of this alliance must be able to reconcile the different views of potential allies in the spirit of moderation."
Former Alberta treasurer Stockwell Day swept into the hall in a cloud of simulated smoke, accompanied by a platoon of green T-shirted loyalists.
He was introduced by his one-time political boss, Premier Ralph Klein, who hailed Day as a fresh new federal face with a solid track record in provincial politics.
"I suggest to you tonight, changing times require new leadership," said Klein.
Day recited his achievement as a cabinet minister in Klein's government, particularly as treasurer.
"Many talk boldly of cutting taxes and reducing debt -- I was able to do both."
Day held out an olive branch to Manning, pledging his undying respect for the man who spearheaded the CA movement.
"If I am honoured to win, you are needed as a senior statesman," said Day.
Ontario backroom operative Tom Long took a veiled shot at Manning by appealing to CA voters not to vote sentimentally.
"I'm not here because I've shouldered the burden of bringing us here ... Ask yourself not who you feel obligated to vote for," he said.
B.C. physician and MP Keith Martin urged party members to eliminate the perception of intolerance and extremism that has dogged both the Reform and CA parties.
Alliance leadership race transformed party
Friday, June 31, 2000
OTTAWA (CP) -- Six generations of the Hickson family have voted for Tories, even before the party became known as the Progressive Conservatives.
The Hicksons, auctioneers and part-time farmers in Lindsay, Ont., are known throughout this central Ontario town of 17,000 as True Blue Tories.
People expect to see them out at polling stations and going door-to-door during election campaigns.
But the gossip's brewing along with the Horton's coffee. The Hicksons have gone over to the Alliance.
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A look at the vote
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Phone voting:
Members in Quebec and in isolated areas or regions without a strong party presence vote by phone Wednesday through Saturday.
Ballots:
Members in most regions vote in person at polling stations Saturday.
Winner:
Requires 50 per cent plus one of all votes cast.
Results:
To be announced at 9 p.m. EDT Saturday at CalgaryÕs Telus Convention Centre.
Second ballot:
If there is no outright winner, a second ballot between the two top finishers will be held July 8.
Security:
Phone voters required to enter personal identification numbers sent by party. Limit on number of votes from single phone line; no cell phone or pay phone voting.
Cost:
Phone vote costs $2.99.
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Bev Hickson says she and husband, Carl, finally quit Joe Clark's Tories and signed up to vote Saturday for a new leader of the Canadian Alliance.
"I know there are a couple of families who think we are just terrible for forsaking the Tory party and they're really upset with us," Hickson said.
"We just think it's time to move on and try something new, and I just hope that the people of the country can be sensible enough to see it has to be an effort between all of us -- not just Toronto and Alberta."
During the bland leadership debates, campaign stump speeches and media interviews of the last few weeks, the party has morphed into something much different from what it was the day it was created just three months ago.
When Reform party members voted to merge their 12-year-old organization with a mixed bag of other small c-conservatives March 25, there was only a vague idea of what the coalition would look like.
Many Canadians didn't know about the Alliance. Only 65 per cent of people in an early poll could identify it.
Now, particularly in Ontario towns, there is more than just a notion of the new party. People are talking and arguing about it, ignoring it or embracing it, pressuring people to join or working to bolster other party associations.
There's still no indication in polls that the Alliance can make a breakthrough east of Manitoba in the next federal election and who becomes leader will determine support.
Questionable campaign tactics, particularly registration of Quebec member without their knowledge, cast a pall over the party late in the leadership campaign.
But at the very least, the Alliance is no longer the unknown entity that it was.
Former Reform leader Preston Manning recognized early that part of marketing the coalition involved shaking the image of an intolerant, ultra-conservative western-based party.
Manning knew there had to be a viable leadership candidate from Ontario.
Ontario Tory strategist Tom Long appeared to be that person, capable of mobilizing the people he worked with to bring Premier Mike Harris to power twice. He represented the new party's hopes of squeezing federal Tories out so that some ridings would be up for grabs.
And even though Long is believed to be long shot for the leadership, he's helped to distinguish the Alliance from its predecessor.
"This is a brand new party that's going to combine a lot of the best elements of all our political pasts," Long said in an interview. "But for this to work it really has to be a fresh start.
"That's the only way we're going to make the kind of breakthrough we need."
As Long brought his Ontario smarts to the game, former Alberta treasurer Stockwell Day rallied people who don't support Manning and don't like Long's Bay Street credentials.
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Alliance-QuickList
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HereÕs who the 57 Canadian Alliance MPs are supporting for leader:
Preston Manning (32):
Preston Manning, Deborah Grey, Jay Hill, Chuck Strahl, Monte Solberg, Dave Chatters, Grant McNally, Inky Mark, Diane Ablonczy, Jim Pankiw, Werner Schmidt, Chuck Cadman, Rick Casson, Peter Goldring, Dale Johnston, Charlie Penson, Rob Anders, John Reynolds, John Duncan, Eric Lowther, John Cummins, Mike Scott, Paul Forseth, Jim Hart, Jim Abbott, Ken Epp, Gurmant Grewal, Reed Elley, Bob Mills, Grant Hill, Leon Benoit, Art Hanger.
Stockwell Day (18):
Jason Kenney, Maurice Velacott, Randy White, Myron Thompson, Dick Harris, Ian McClelland, Bill Gilmour, Howard Hilstrom, Roy Bailey, Garry Breitkreuz, Cliff Breitkreuz, Allan Kerpan, Derrek Konrad, Gerry Ritz, Ted White, Darrel Stinson, Philip Mayfield, Lee Morrison.
Tom Long (6):
Gary Lunn, Val Meredith, Rahim Jaffer, Jim Gouk, John Williams, Deepak Obhrai.
Keith Martin (1):
Keith Martin.
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Abortion. Gay rights. Capital punishment. Day met the sensitive issues head on rather than dodge them to keep the peace and has succeeded in building a loyal following of pro-lifers and family values advocates in the process.
More important than headline-grabbing social conservatism, though, Day projected an image of youth and energy -- throwing footballs, sea kayaking and karate-chopping Reform's staid image.
"When I went to my first Reform assembly it was 1994 . . . and I walked into a room of 1,700 delegates and it was a sea of seniors," said Adam Richardson, Day's organizer in Atlantic Canada.
"I was the only youth there from Atlantic Canada. You don't see that now."
There are still doubts about how much Day has actually expanded party ranks. Some observers feel he deepened the Alliance's core support rather than broaden it; he appeals to people who either voted Reform or wanted to but didn't because they didn't think it was tough enough on social issues.
If Long broadened the support base and Day deepened it, what did Manning accomplish?
Throughout the leadership campaign, Manning kept a low profile, spending the first half of the race meeting potential adherents at coffee parties where he'd talk about his credentials and eat homemade cookies.
Manning wasn't interested in flirting with the cameras; he said he didn't have to introduce himself to Canadians like Day and Long did.
He didn't make broad policy statements, unlike his competitors who competed for headlines on their fiscal and social positions.
And at six lacklustre debates in May and June, Manning deliberately avoided conflict, highlighting the need for candidates to transmit the appearance of a team.
Manning's approach ensured that nothing would tarnish his image -- he left his rivals to argue about social issues and irregularities in membership purchases.
The result? The "anyone-but-Manning" coalition that threatened to emerge when the campaign kicked off never really materialized.
As people watched the Alliance grow, Manning says they came to the conclusion that he was pretty good at building coalitions and mediating differences.
"There might be some begrudging appreciation that that's what I was doing with Reform and creating the United Alternative that led to the Alliance," he said in an interview.
The Alliance leadership race in many ways was about creating the party itself, not just picking a quarterback, as Manning likes to put it.
The question that remains is whether a party built during a leadership race can survive once the leader is chosen.
Will Long and Day supporters settle for Manning? Will westerners accept easterners? Will social conservatives and fiscal conservatives get along? Will diehard Reformers embrace former Tories?
Political scientist Tom Flanagan says Long and Day took risks to increase their support but may have antagonized other segments of the party.
In the end, Manning didn't ruffle feathers, said Flanagan, a Day supporter.
"Manning has emerged as a kind of compromise figure. It's interesting that by doing nothing different, he's become the bridge between different factions in the party."
Manning and Day neck and neck among Alliance supporters, poll suggests
Thursday, June 22, 2000
MONTREAL (CP) -- Canadian Alliance supporters were split on the question of whether Preston Manning or Stockwell Day would make the best prime minister, a new public opinion suggests.
While 37.1 per cent of Alliance supporters surveyed favoured Day, 36.7 per cent said they supported Manning.
Former Ontario Conservative organizer Tom Long was a distant third, with a little less than 11 per cent.
The survey suggested that slightly more than 18 per cent of decided respondents backed the Alliance when the survey of 1,511 voters was conducted. Almost 44 per cent supported the Liberals.
The telephone survey was conducted for the Societe Radio-Canada, the French-language arm of the CBC, between June 9 and 18.
That was before controversy arose over hundreds of Alliance memberships sold in Quebec. Long's organizers conceded this week that they found hundreds of bogus party memberships in the province's Gaspe region.
Leger and Leger said the margin of error for questions involving all respondents was 2.5 per cent. The rate would be higher for questions involving fewer respondents.
Long: Tall tale is all my fault
Rival wants to delay Alliance vote for 3 weeks Wednesday, June 21, 2000
OTTAWA -- Tom Long apologized for running a dirty recruitment campaign in Quebec yesterday amid calls from a Canadian Alliance leadership rival to postpone this weekend's vote.
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Canadian Alliance Party leadership candidate Tom Long pauses to gather his thoughts during a news conference in Toronto on Wednesday June 21, 2000. Long called the news conference to answer questions about membership signup irregularities.(CP PHOTO/Frank Gunn)
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A head-to-head recruiting competition between two low-ranking workers in Quebec lead to 700 bogus names being added to the voter list in the Gaspe region of Quebec, Long's campaign manager Leslie Noble said yesterday.
The two workers have been fired. No executives in Long's Quebec office have been reprimanded for the scandal and the names have been struck from the master list.
Long apologized yesterday to his rivals and all Alliance members for the embarrassing recruitment in Quebec and insisted the problem is isolated in the Gaspe region. He said if any other bogus memberships are discovered, they would be crossed off the master list.
"Our indications are that we don't have this situation in other parts of Quebec, although there may be specific instances," Long said at his Toronto headquarters.
"I am embarrassed and angry with the recruitment tactics used by my team in Gaspe ... I accept full responsibility."
Long doesn't believe the bogus voter scandal will hurt his leadership aspirations.
"If there's a second ballot, I intend to be on it," he said.
Leadership longshot Keith Martin, an Alliance MP and medical doctor, wants Saturday's planned election of a new party leader put off for three weeks.
That would give party brass time to dump the current scandal-plagued system -- a combination of poll voting and a new high-tech phone-in scheme -- and replace it with a mail-in ballot system.
Meanwhile, a new public opinion poll suggests Alliance supporters are split on the question of whether Preston Manning or Stockwell Day would make the best prime minister. While 37.1 per cent of Alliance supporters surveyed favoured Day, 36.7 per cent said they supported Manning.
Long was a distant third, with less than 11 per cent. The survey was conducted for the Societe Radio-Canada.
Long shot OK with Yanks
Won't lose citizenship if elected PM Wednesday, June 21, 2000
OTTAWA -- Canadian Alliance leadership candidate Tom Long could become prime minister of Canada and still retain his American citizenship, say U.S. officials.
But if his bid for PM fails, he can forget about the White House -- officials also say Long could never run for U.S. president because he was not born on American soil.
The U.S. department of state makes all citizenship decisions on a case-by-case basis, but embassy officials said yesterday it wouldn't automatically strip Long of his Yankee passport just because he wins office in a foreign country.
"In the case where someone who is a U.S. citizen is elected to a high office -- the president or prime minister of a foreign country -- the U.S. would have to look very, very carefully at the U.S. citizen's intention in taking up that office," said American embassy spokesman Meg Gilroy.
Gilroy was aware of Long's situation -- his mother is American, his father is Canadian, and he has never lived in the U.S. -- and would not comment specifically on his case due to U.S. privacy laws. But she said the revoking of an American's citizenship is generally only carried out in criminal cases or in the case where the individual is elected to head a country considered "hostile" to the U.S.
FEARED BACKLASH
Gilroy said any individual can seek to have his American rights removed simply by making a case to a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Long's dual citizenship became an issue Monday when it was raised with him by The Globe & Mail. Long subsequently told The Sun about his Globe interview, saying he feared there could be a backlash when the news was made public.
He said he considers himself to be "100% Canadian" despite his U.S. ties and sees no need to do anything about it. PM Jean Chretien jumped into the fray yesterday in an attempt to stir up the pot.
"I hope he has a Canadian passport. I'm more preoccupied with what kind of passport he will use in Gaspe," said Chretien. He was referring to the 2,800 Alliance memberships Long claims to have sold in one Quebec riding.
The Quebec campaign of the Alliance leadership race appeared to be in chaos yesterday as organizers for Long conceded they had found numerous bogus party memberships in the Gaspe region.
An investigation of 1,656 membership names turned up 600 people who had no knowledge of signing up.
Dual life of Tom Long
Alliance candidate defends dual citizenship Tuesday, June 20, 2000
OTTAWA -- Canadian Alliance leadership candidate Tom Long is expecting a public backlash when Canadians learn he has dual Canadian and American citizenship.
In an interview requested by his campaign office, Long told The Toronto Sun he expects some negative fallout in today's press after conceding to the Globe & Mail's editorial board yesterday that he has dual citizenship.
He phoned a Sun reporter as well as the paper's editorial board to give them a "heads up" on what the Globe was intending to report.
"I'm not afraid of it. I just wanted to raise it with you because it was obvious (the Globe) was going to make a big deal out of it. I just wanted to give you a heads up," said Long, in an unusual move for a political candidate.
Long explained his dual citizenship was the result of his mother, Lorraine Dingwell, being born in Port Huron, Michigan. She married his father, Stan, who was from Corunna, Ont. Long was born and raised in Sarnia, a border town across from Port Huron.
When asked why he wouldn't have dropped his U.S. citizenship long ago, considering his desire to become Canada's prime minister, Long responded: "I'm 100% Canadian. I can't change where my mom was born. I've just never believed that you immediately start changing who you are just because you're a candidate for public office any more than I think you should change what you believe."
Besides, said Long, under U.S. law his American citizenship will automatically be revoked if he's elected to public office in a foreign country. Government officials could not be reached to explain details of such a scenario.
MADE NO SECRET
Long said critics of his dual citizenship are merely "xenophobic."
He insisted he's made no secret of his past, saying the resume his campaign released seven weeks ago when he entered the race clearly stated the fact. However, the resume sent by Long's campaign to the Sun made no mention of his dual citizenship, nor could it be found on his website.
Long's affinity for America is strong. In his youth, Long worked for his neo-conservative hero Ronald Reagan in his unsuccessful campaign to unseat incumbent president Gerald Ford for the Republican leadership.
More recently, Long said that university students were better off getting an education in the U.S. if they wanted to be successful. In fact, Long's daughter Melissa is considering going to school in the States.
And one of Long's best friends and a current campaign adviser is high-profile American spin doctor Mike Murphy. Murphy, best known as the "Merchant of Mud", is famous for his hard-hitting negative ad campaigns. His clients have included Iran-Contra figure Oliver North, New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, Sen. Jesse Helm and Premier Mike Harris.
It was Murphy who helped Harris paint Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty as a man who is "just not up to the job" in the last election.
Manning bills himself as voice of moderation
Denies trying to brand Day as extremist
OTTAWA (CP) -- Preston Manning continued to sell himself Monday as the consensus builder who can score an electoral breakthrough for the Canadian Alliance -- while denying the hidden intent of his sales pitch is to brand Stockwell Day as an extremist who would splinter the party.
"There's very little negative campaigning," Manning insisted in an impromptu news conference at his campaign headquarters Monday.
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Canadian Alliance candidate Preston Manning and his wife Sandra walk along Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Monday July 3. (CP Photo/Jonathan Hayward)
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"The basic message we've been pounding out on the ground is that the Manning-Long alliance can win in Ontario."
The comments came as Manning posed for pictures with former aides to Tom Long, who dropped off the Alliance leadership ballot after finishing third in the initial round of voting last month.
Long, a backroom whiz who helped organize two successful election campaigns for Premier Mike Harris's Ontario Conservatives, has since endorsed Manning, saying the former Reform chief's experience and skills make him the best man for the job.
Long was at home in Sarnia on Monday but is expected to join Manning later this week for a campaign blitz of vote-rich southern Ontario and Alberta before the final ballot Saturday.
Sandra Buckler, Long's former media spokeswoman, and a half-dozen colleagues arrived over the Canada Day weekend to join the Manning team.
"He's the one who can unite social and fiscal conservatives," said Buckler. "He's the most balanced. I would put money on him in a high-pressure situation to say the right thing, to do the right thing."
Day supporters have bristled at such comments from the Manning camp, suggesting they are meant to imply that Day is a divisive influence because of his personal anti-abortion views, coolness toward gay rights and belief in capital punishment.
Manning did nothing to allay the suspicions of Day followers on that score Monday.
"I think there's a danger, if the Alliance polarizes, of not being able to break through in the next election," he said. "I've worked pretty hard to build this up to this point, I wouldn't want that to happen.
"There's no point in going back to where Reform was between '93 and '96 and reliving all those events."
Rick Anderson, a key Manning strategist, has suggested the Day campaign signed up between 30,000 and 40,000 members of "special interest" groups in its successful drive to the top of the first leadership ballot.
"I think there's been membership sales out there in that magnitude," Manning agreed. He noted that Alliance membership has climbed to more than 200,000 from a starting point of about 75,000 before the leadership race.
"Somebody sold an awful lot of them," he observed, although he later acknowledged his own backers had sold "a fair number" themselves.
Jason Kenney, an Alliance MP who backs Day, said the 40,000 figure represents the total number of new memberships sold by Day's campaign across the country.
Fewer than 5,000 of those went to members of groups that could be described as pro-family, anti-abortion or in favour of public funding for religious schools, said Kenney.
Line Maheux, a Day spokeswoman, put the number at about 4,000. She dismissed any claim that such groups are the core of Day's support, pointing to his broad appeal on the first ballot.
"We have galvanized the majority of the voter base," said Maheux. "We have breadth and depth in terms of support all across the country."
Kenney described the Manning tactics as a "desperation effort" and said the Day campaign has no desire to get into a personal slanging match. In the long run, he said, that would only play into the hands of Prime Minister Jean Chretien and his federal Liberals in the next general election.
"We're not going to get into tit for tat," said Kenney. "We have to come out of this as a unified party. . . . If we attack one another, we aid and abet the Liberals."
Day was to campaign Tuesday in the Kelowna, Penticton and Cranbrook areas of British Columbia, while Manning planned to stay in Ottawa, working the phones, giving media interviews and preparing for a televised leadership debate Wednesday night.
"It's pretty important," Manning said of the debate. "A lot of people have made their minds up out there, but there's a lot that haven't."
About 119,000 Alliance members voted on the first ballot, with Day taking about 44 per cent, Manning 36 per cent and Long 18 per cent.
Manning is hoping for a better turnout among his loyalists and support from Long backers in his uphill battle to overcome a deficit of nearly 10,000 votes in time for the final ballot.
Social issues erupt during CA debate
Tuesday, June 13, 2000
TORONTO (CP) -- Social issues erupted once again among Canadian Alliance leadership candidates, pitting former Alberta treasurer Stockwell Day against his three main rivals on whether abortion should be formally addressed by the party.
Day, a self-avowed social conservative and evangelical Christian, proclaimed during the last televised debate Tuesday that the "era of political correctness" is ending and Canadians should feel free to discuss abortion and other moral issues.
"Yes I am pro life, yes I believe that life begins at conception, yes I believe that these are issues that citizens want to talk about. They can bring forward those issues . . .and I will never say to any group of citizens or to any individual that I don't want to bring that forward because it could hurt us politically," said Day.
Day was reacting to strong statements by Ontario Tory strategist Tom Long and Alliance MP Keith Martin, who cautioned that focusing on issues like abortion would hobble the party.
The Alliance's official position on sensitive moral issues is to allow for citizens-led referendums.
Long took a jab at Day when he invoked the remarks of Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, who once warned early Alliance supporters (then called the United Alternative) to leave socially conservative views aside.
"I think the role of the leader is to find the common ground that exists between fiscal and social conservatives," Long said.
"I think we need to find that common ground if we're going to have that sense of common purpose . . . and not let us get sidetracked into a multitude of issues that will just create political difficulties."
Said Martin: "If the party is going to deal with issues of personal morality in a legislative manner, frankly it's dead in the water."
Former Reform party leader Preston Manning said abortion would not likely pop up on its own in the public forum, but rather as part of a larger debate on reproductive technologies -- an issue the Liberal government is still struggling to deal with.
Manning received his share of barbs during the hour-long debate, with Long and Day not-so-subtly referring to his inability in the past to deliver votes east of Manitoba.
"I'm so thankful for Preston Manning that he has made great strides in taking us this far, and now it is time to go further, to the next step," Day said.
"To move across the aisle in the House of Commons, not be the ones asking the questions but the ones answering them . . ."
Manning renewed his attack against former Tory prime minister Brian Mulroney, who last week accused the Alliance in a public speech of creating divisions between small c-conservatives.
"We must make sure that every promise is backed up by a plan to achieve it, based not on blarney and rhetoric but on solid principle," Manning said, after criticizing Mulroney for not fulfilling his commitment to Quebecers and other Canadians.
But Manning's fellow contenders said the party shouldn't waste time bashing old Tories, and should instead spend time welcoming Canadians of all stripes.
"I don't think it makes any sense for us to be teaching ourselves history lessons, as to who did what to whom in the late 1980s," Long said.
Tuesday's debate was the last in a series of six across the country: two in Vancouver and one in Oakville, Ont., Halifax, Montreal, and Toronto.
It also signalled the imminent close of the leadership campaign -- the deadline for signing up new members eligible to vote is Saturday.
With only a few exceptions, the candidates kept up a show of camaraderie during the debates, insisting they were all playing on the same team and were simply "looking for the best quarterback."
Manning acknowledged the debates may have seemed boring at times.
"It's just pure information -- the Alliance is very new, a lot of people don't know what it is or what is stands for. (The debates) have been very good at getting that information out."
The bland harmony broke down only on social issues, identified in earlier debates by both Martin and Long as the party's Achilles heel.
During the Oakville debate, Day was asked by a member of the audience to apologize for anti-gay remarks made by one of his supporters against some members of Long's staff.
Day dismissed the incident as par for the course in a campaign, but Long lashed out, proclaiming it was the duty of each candidate to make a strong statement in favour of tolerance or acceptance, or the "party wouldn't deserve to win."
Faron Ellis, a University of Lethbridge professor who has spent years tracking the Reform party and now the Alliance, said the debates might have created interest in the party but the lack of any real conflict will make it hard for members to pick a leader.
"The debates were highly symbolic of the party itself -- there is little to distinguish the candidates from each other, and there's little to distinguish the Alliance from the Liberals or the Conservatives," Ellis said.
Manning banks on London
Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Preston Manning yesterday appealed to London -- "the birthplace of the Canadian Alliance" -- to help him win the party's leadership and wrest power from Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
In back-to-back London radio call-in shows, a chamber of commerce speech and a media scrum, Manning hardly mentioned fellow Alliance leadership candidates Stockwell Day and Tom Long -- both with deeper Ontario roots than Manning -- except to say he had the most job experience.
"The dimension I bring is the time spent on the national stage in each part of the country and in Parliament," Manning said.
Instead, he focused on the federal Liberals.
"When the prime minister professes that he and his government are respecting and reflecting Canadian values, whether it's on the social front, children, health care or on the economic front with jobs and taxes, I say that he is dead wrong."
Southwestern Ontario is seen as a stronghold of Alliance supporters and with the new party hoping to win seats east of Manitoba, Manning stressed his connection to the area.
"I do think of London as the birthplace of this Canadian Alliance idea -- and if it's successful you should take some pride in that," Manning told a chamber of commerce audience.
The idea for a united alternative party on the political right was first presented at the Reform party's 1998 London convention, he noted.
Manning stepped lightly around any potential land mines, such as gay rights, and fielded few tough questions from chamber members or radio listeners.
One caller suggested Alberta's latest health-care bill, backed by Manning, has created two-tier care favouring the rich and inviting U.S.-style private companies.
"This is not talking about American health care at all," Manning replied. "It is about shortening the lineups."
Manning spoke to the chamber about his support of what he called the traditional family -- one that usually includes a union between a man and a woman.
But he refused to rule out benefits for same-sex couples, saying they have the right to argue for those benefits.
"Argue for them specifically and not get them mixed in with those more traditional relationships," Manning suggested
Manning also refused to get into a debate about Ontario's education reforms. Long suggested yesterday the federal government should adopt some of the province's hardline approach.
"I think there's a need for education reform just like health-care reforms. What the federal government has to be careful about is these are areas of provincial jurisdiction," Manning said.
Manning appeals to constituents
In bid for C.A. leadership Saturday, May 13, 2000
CALGARY (CP) -- Preston Manning says he has finished his apprenticeship and has earned the right to lead the Canadian Alliance into the next federal election.
"If you want to be a national leader you've got to spend some time on the national stage," Manning said Saturday to more than 200 constituents at a town hall meeting in his Calgary Southwest riding.
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Canadian Alliance leadership candidate Preston Manning responds to a question during a town hall meeting in his Calgary riding, Saturday May 13, 2000. (CP PHOTO/Adrian Wyld)
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"The national stage is a lot bigger than a regional stage or a provincial stage," he added.
He was taking a swipe at his two main challengers in the leadership race for the new party that replaced the Reform party -- Stockwell Day, who has taken a leave from his job as treasurer in the Alberta Tory cabinet, and Tom Long, a former strategist for Ontario Conservative Premier Mike Harris. Canadian Alliance MP Keith Martin is also running.
Manning said his experience as leader of the Reform party and the official Opposition in the House of Commons sets him apart from his rivals.
"I'm saying to you now I have served the apprenticeship that the other parts of the country say you have to have if you want to be prime minister of the country."
Manning maintains there is no need for a new party to have a new leader. The one criticism while he led Reform was an inability to win in central Canada, he said.
"I honestly believe I have finally got the right formula for winning east of the Manitoba-Ontario border," he said.
"We're getting more and more Conservatives, federal and particularly Harris Conservatives, joining the Alliance willing to work under that umbrella."
After the town hall meeting, Manning said he's not concerned about the lack of high-profile Tories publicly supporting his campaign.
"We've got Conservative people who will support us but this is a one-person, one- member, one-vote election," he said.
"You can have all the endorsations you want but does the endorser help you sell memberships?"
The addition of many high-profile Tories to the Canadian Alliance worries constituent Maury Puckall.
"We are starting to get so many Conservatives coming into the Alliance I'm worried we're gonna get back to that old boys' club that seems to run the Liberals and the former Mulroney government as well," Puckall told Manning."
Manning said it's a legitimate concern and urged Canadian Alliance members to ask people whether they support the party's principles before selling them memberships.
"If they're just joining for temporary reasons and are here today-gone tomorrow, the warning flag should go up."
C.A. recruiters to stalk Tory conference
Wednesday, May 10, 2000
OTTAWA (CP) -- Key Canadian Alliance supporters are planning to venture into the lion's den Thursday at the Progressive Conservative policy conference, some on tiptoes and others armed with membership forms.
Political parties routinely send observers to events held by their rivals, but Alliance leadership candidate Tom Long is taking that a step further.
A team of Quebec-based Long supporters, including former Tory organizers Francois Pilote and Pierre Miquelon, are setting up a hospitality suite at a convention hotel in Quebec City so they can meet with delegates.
"We want a chance to talk to the people we know . . . these are our family," Miquelon said Wednesday.
"Some opinions will differ from ours, but we're confident we can at least have a few people think twice."
Miquelon said he will have membership cards handy, but "wouldn't be going around the corridors with the forms in our hands."
"We'll be there, we'll be present, we'll be visible, but on the other hand we don't want to ruffle any feathers and we don't want this debate to become blown out of proportion."
Alliance leadership candidates Preston Manning and Stockwell Day said they plan to have a more discreet presence, with no hospitality suites.
Media spokeswoman Line Maheux will be Day's sole representative -- at least officially -- and she said she will simply be there to listen
"It's their convention, it's their show," Maheux said. "We're going to treat the delegates with respect."
Renee Fairweather, Manning's spokeswoman, will also be on hand.
"If the opportunity arises to talk about the Alliance and the benefits of the Alliance, I'm certainly not going to stay mute on that," she said.
"And if they want to know the benefits of Preston Manning I'll offer that information."
Other Alliance observers include party co-chairman Rod Love, Toronto businessman Kevyn Nightingale and a group of party researchers.
Some Tory members said they expect the Alliance to cause a ruckus on their turf, but doubt there will be many defections.
"I have no doubts there will be attempts for some shenanigans and some trickery on the part of the Alliance and the Reform party -- that's their stock and trade," said Tory House Leader Peter MacKay.
"Will they be effective at it? I don't think so. We're going there very spirited, very upbeat, and I think those efforts will be foiled."
The Conservative conference begins Thursday and runs through Sunday. The party is looking forward to it as a chance to regroup and re-energize after a tough couple of months of defections to the Alliance.
Delegates will hash out a new set of policies that will form the basis of the Tory platform in the next election, expected next spring.
APRIL 2000
Stockwell Day: logger, pastor and politician
Sunday, September 10, 2000
Stockwell Day arrives at a local winery on one of his many byelection stops and within minutes looks like he's the guy who runs the place.
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Logan Day (centre) looks on as Canadian Alliance leader Stockwell Day walks with his wife Valorie to church Sunday Sept. 10 in Summerland, BC. (CP PHOTO/Adrian Wyld) |
The Canadian Alliance leader glances at a lush vineyard in the rolling Okanagan hills and chats easily about soil nutrients, grape varieties and harvest techniques.
Not bad for a teetotaller.
Stockwell Burt Day Jr. -- Stock to his friends -- has been criss-crossing the country since July when he won the party's leadership race.
The former logger, auctioneer, counsellor, pastor, meat packer and Alberta treasurer is taking on his next challenge: trying to become Canada's next prime minister.
Day is 50, but his boyish face and seemingly boundless energy make him seem much younger.
He says he entered federal politics after becoming convinced the Alberta model of debt- and tax-cutting could work for Canada.
"I've found certain things that work, which can be applied at the federal level," Day said on a recent campaign stop spreading his right-wing gospel ahead of Monday's byelection in Okanagan-Coquihalla.
"Those principles that work in a province, will work in a city and the nation as well."
Family blood is thick with conservative politics. His father, Stockwell Day Sr., ran for the Social Credit party, losing to social democrat icon Tommy Douglas.
Day honed his political skills as administrator for a private religious school in Bentley, Alta., and assistant pastor of the Pentecostal church that ran it.
His Christian fundamentalist beliefs, with strong views against abortion and homosexuality, may become a political Achilles heel, say some analysts.
However, others note he seems to have eased off his moral pronouncements lately.
Striding through Penticton's Memorial Arena, Day was greeted by many as a newcomer who deserves a chance.
"I can make it really simple," said Penticton resident Randy Gallagher. "He hasn't lied to me yet and every other politician has. It's definitely time for younger, fresher leadership."
Another man looked up briefly as Day passed and remarked: "I have no idea who he would be nor would I care."
Day is expected to win the byelection in a landslide.
He's apparently so confident of victory that he has spent little time in the sprawling riding, which covers almost 23,000 square kilometres. But he says he will live in the tourist-friendly fruit-growing region after the byelection.
Day was born in Barrie, Ont. His father managed Zellers stores and moved his family frequently -- across Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes.
In 1967, Day moved to Victoria and two years later, a long-haired Stock was living in a rundown cottage on Vancouver Island, occasionally smoking pot and driving an old beater.
He met his wife, Valerie Martin, in Victoria and the couple married in 1971. They moved to Kelowna, but headed for Edmonton after Day's auctioneering business was destroyed by fire.
The Days worked as youth counsellors in Edmonton, often taking drug and alcohol addicts off the streets and into their home. It was sometimes scary for his family.
"When I was 12 or 13 one guy came storming into our house highly intoxicated, ruckusing around," recalled son Luke, now a 26-year-old stockbroker in Edmonton.
"It took some time to get it solved and the next day Stock was willing to give him a second chance. He's always willing to give people a second chance."
In 1976, Day moved his wife and three boys to Inuvik, where he worked for an oil transport company.
"There was a lot of snow," said eldest son, Logan. "And he would build us furniture out of snow -- couches, chairs and a fake TV -- then sprinkle water on them and it would last all winter."
Day is close to his boys. As teens he would often take them and their friends on camping and skiing trips, said Logan.
It was Day who found Logan's wife, Juliana Thiessen, a former Miss Canada Universe. Day read in a magazine that Thiessen, a promising student interested in politics, had been dumped by her boyfriend so he told Logan to pursue her.
Day first won office as a provincial Conservative in Red Deer, Alta., in 1986. He served in Premier Ralph Klein's cabinet as labour minister and treasurer, where he continued the government's tax-cutting agenda
Day relies on a quick wit and a ready sense of humour.
"Anything new," he was asked by a reporter arriving at the Okanagan winery.
"Oh, you haven't heard about the 10 new MPs," he joked, trumpeting recent Conservative and Bloc Quebecois defections to the Alliance.
Possible candidates
With the leadership of the Canadian Alliance up for grabs, here are some of the candidates for the position:
Diane Ablonczy: Longtime MP for Calgary-Nose Hill. A well-respected Calgary lawyer who is known for her calm, cool and collected line of questioning in the Commons. Called for early leadership review and has said she'd seek the job if she had the support.
Stockwell Day: The incumbent. Has seen caucus shrink by 20% and the party's national popularity plunge to 6% during his disastrous year at the helm.
Deb Grey: Became the first Reform Party MP ever elected to the Commons in 1989 and became one of the most popular members of the party. Became 12th Alliance MP and biggest name to leave caucus on July 3.
Stephen Harper: A former Reform Party MP who quit over Preston Manning's leadership. The constitutional expert now heads up the National Citizens' Coalition.
Grant Hill: Alberta MP for Macleod and deputy leader would be happy to stand in as interim leader but denies any interest in the big job.
Preston Manning: Founder of the Reform Party and leader of that party. He lost to Stockwell Day during last summer's Alliance leadership contest. Underwent surgery for prostate cancer last December and announced he's quitting politics in March. Has job lined up in private sector for next year. Has been quiet throughout Day debacle.
Brian Pallister: A former Manitoba cabinet minister and owner of Pallister Insurance Agency. He ran for the Tory leadership in 1998 and lost to Joe Clark. Last month the Manitoba MP urged anyone interested in uniting the right to join both parties.
John Reynolds: B.C. MP and former talk radio host has been a fiercely loyal supporter of and point man for Stockwell Day through his recent ordeal.
Monte Solberg: Medicine Hat MP and a Manning loyalist, he was a former radio broadcaster before entering politics in 1993. Vocal opponent of Day who was suspended from caucus last month.
Chuck Strahl: A veteran B.C. MP who was a partner in a logging company in his home province before turning to politics. Has become chief spokesman of the Gang of 13.
Tony Clement and Jim Flaherty: Although there's speculation these Ontario cabinet ministers would join the race, Mike Harris' Tories have distanced themselves from the Alliance party in recent months.
Manning hints he may quit before next election
"It's time we supported law-abiding citizens in our justice system. Canadians have been asking to put 'correct' back in the corrections system."
