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2009 Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario leadership election

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2009 Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario leadership election
← 2004 June 27, 2009 2015 →
 
FK
Candidate Tim Hudak Frank Klees
Riding Niagara West—Glanbrook Newmarket—Aurora
Final ballot 5,606
(54.69%) 		4,644
(45.31%)
First ballot 3,511.87
(33.94%) 		3,093.77
(29.90%)
 
Candidate Christine Elliott Randy Hillier
Riding Whitby—Oshawa Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington
Final ballot Eliminated Eliminated
First ballot 2,728.66
(26.37%) 		1,013.69
(9.80%)
Results by Ontario electoral district
Leader before election

Bob Runciman (interim)

 Elected Leader

Tim Hudak

2009 Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario leadership election
DateJune 27, 2009
ConventionMarkham Conference Centre,
Markham, Ontario[1]
Resigning leaderJohn Tory
Won byTim Hudak
Ballots3
Candidates4
Entrance Fee$50,000
Spending limit$750,000
Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership conventions 1920, 1936, 1938, 1949, 1961, 1971, 1985, 1990, 2002, 2004, 2009, 2015, 2018

On March 6, 2009, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario leader John Tory announced his intention to step down as leader following his defeat in a by-election. Tory was elected party leader in the party's 2004 leadership election, and led the party to defeat in the 2007 provincial election in which he failed to win personal election to the Ontario Legislature. He attempted again to enter the legislature in a March 5, 2009 by-election but was defeated by the Liberal candidate.

The party's executive set June 27, 2009 as the date for the new leader to be announced over the objections of several MPPs who called for a September vote. Candidates were required to register as such by April 17; in order to be able to cast a ballot it was necessary for one to have been a member of the party by May 14.[2] Of the 25 members caucus, interim leader Bob Runciman remained neutral in the race and MPP Joyce Savoline did not endorse a candidate.

The party reported that it had over 40,000 members eligible to vote in the leadership contest as of the membership cut-off of May 15, up from 8,500 at the beginning of the leadership race.[3] Of the 43,000 members eligible to vote some 25,429 members cast a ballot.[4]

Registered candidates

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Tim Hudak

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Tim Hudak, MPP for Niagara West—Glanbrook

Tim Hudak, 41, was the MPP for Niagara West—Glanbrook and had sat in the provincial legislature since 1995. He was the party's finance critic and was seen to be on the right of the party. Some [5][6] consider Hudak to be the "front runner". Including himself, Hudak had the backing of a majority of the 24 member caucus.

Christine Elliott

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Christine Elliott, MPP for Whitby—Oshawa

Christine Elliott, 53, was MPP for Whitby—Oshawa, first winning the seat in a 2006 by-election, and wife of Jim Flaherty.[11] Elliott filed her nomination papers on March 31 and officially launched her campaign on April 3, 2009.[12]

Frank Klees

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Frank Klees, 58, was the Chief Government Whip in the Harris government, and Minister of Tourism and of Transportation in the Eves government. He came in third place in the 2004 leadership election.[15][16] Klees appeared on Reverend Charles McVety's television program on March 29 and said he would like to run. McVety endorsed Klees during the broadcast. Klees told CTV News that he decided to throw his hat into the ring "after very careful consideration.”[17]

  • Policies: Proposed reduction in provincial sales tax to offset application of new Harmonized Sales Tax to items previously exempt from the PST, supports grassroots policy development, improve transportation infrastructure, make university/college/trade school graduates exempt from paying provincial income taxes for the first four years after leaving school.[18]
  • MPPs who were supporters (2): Peter Shurman and Jerry Ouellette.
  • Federal MPs who were supporters: Lois Brown
  • Other high-profile supporters: Rev. Charles McVety; John Capobianco party organizer; Sandra Buckler, Former PMO Communications Director; former MPP Garry Guzzo; John Mykytyshyn, founder of the Conservative Leadership Foundation; the Campaign Life Coalition; former MPP Frank Sheehan.
  • Date campaign announced: March 29, 2009[19]
  • Date campaign officially launched: April 15, 2009
  • Date officially registered: April 15, 2009[10]
  • Result: Second

Randy Hillier

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Randy Hillier, MPP for Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington

Randy Hillier, 50, was a rural activist and founder of the Ontario Landowners Association. He was first elected MPP for Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington in the 2007 provincial election.[20] Hillier says that as Premier he would abolish the Ontario Human Rights Commission, allow Ontario to elect its federal Senators and introduce a bill making membership in unions and professional associations voluntary.[21]

  • Policies: Abolition of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, allow sale of beer and wine in corner stores, election of Ontario Senators, restoration of the spring bear hunt, ending the closed shop in unionized workplaces, reverse the pesticide ban, allowing health care professionals and other gov't paid individuals to refuse to provide services for religious or moral reasons (limiting abortions and same-sex marriages), abolition of the province's property tax assessment agency (MPAC).,[8] increasing the speed limit on Ontario highways, allowing de-amalgamation of municipalities, cracking down on native occupations.[22]
  • MPPs who were supporters (0): none
  • Federal MPs who were supporters (2): Scott Reid, Cheryl Gallant.
  • Other high-profile supporters: Social conservative activist and former Family Coalition Party candidate John Pacheco.
  • Date campaign announced: March 30, 2009
  • Date campaign officially launched: March 30, 2009
  • Date officially registered: April 2, 2009[10]
  • Result: Fourth

Voting results

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Winning candidate in each riding (first ballot). Dark blue=Hudak, Light Blue=Klees, Green=Elliott, Red=Hillier, Grey=Tie.[23]
First Ballot
Candidate Weighted Votes
(sum of percentages in each riding) 		Percentage
Tim Hudak 3,511.873 33.9
Frank Klees 3,093.770 29.9
Christine Elliott 2,728.664 26.4
Randy Hillier 1,013.694 9.8
Total 10,348 100

Movement: Hillier eliminated and endorses Hudak; prior to balloting Hillier asked his supporters to make Hudak their second choice.

Second Ballot
Candidate Weighted Votes
(sum of percentages in each riding) 		Percentage +/-
Tim Hudak 4,128.570 39.95 +6.0
Frank Klees 3,299.809 31.94 +1.9
Christine Elliott 2,903.621 28.10 +1.6
Total 10,332 100.0

Does not include votes that were spoiled because no second choice was indicated.

Movement: Elliott eliminated

Third Ballot
Candidate Weighted Votes
(sum of percentages in each riding) 		Percentage +/-
Tim Hudak 5,606 54.25 +14.3
Frank Klees 4,644 44.94 +13.0
Total 10,332 100.0

Does not include votes that were spoiled because no second or third choice was indicated.

Potential candidates who did not enter

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Process

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The Ontario Progressive Conservatives use a system similar to that used by the federal Conservative Party of Canada in its leadership election. Each provincial riding association had up to 100 Electoral Votes that were allocated among the candidates by proportional representation according to the votes cast by party members within the riding. This was not a "one member one vote" system since each riding generally had equal weight. (Ridings with fewer than 100 voting party members were allocated one Electoral Vote per voting member; ridings with 100 or more voting party members were allocated 100 Electoral Votes.) Voting occurred on June 21 and 25 via a preferential ballot.

This system is designed to favour candidates who can win support across the province and win in a majority of ridings. This replicates what is necessary for a party to win a general election - though without the "first past the post" feature of elections under the Westminster system. Voters ranked their choices on a preferential ballot. In this system, if no candidate wins a majority of Electoral Votes on a ballot, then the last-place candidate is eliminated, and his/her votes are redistributed according to second-choice rankings.

There was an entry fee of $50,000 and spending limit of $750,000 but no fundraising limit; twenty per cent of the money raised by candidates was shared with the party.[49]

Other rules [50] required each candidate to have a nominator, a seconder, and 100 members who sign the nomination, no more than 10 of whom could live in the same riding. Candidates also had to make a $25,000 deposit, that was refundable. Furthermore, 20% of all donations over $5,000, with the exception of the first $75,000 raised, had to be given to the party; this money was exempted from the spending limit. Candidates had until Thursday, June 18, at noon to drop out of the race. Any candidate who failed to get 10% of the vote, along with the last-placed candidate, was dropped from balloting should no one candidate get a majority of votes on the first ballot. All ridings had one balloting location with the exception of the 12 largest ridings in the province.

Timeline

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  • October 10, 2007 - 2007 provincial election, Dalton McGunity's Liberals are re-elected by large margin . Tory fails in his attempt to be elected in Don Valley West against incumbent MPP Kathleen Wynne.
  • February 23, 2008 - John Tory faces a leadership review at the Annual General Meeting of the PC Party of Ontario in London and is supported by only 66.9% of delegates, virtually the same amount of support that led then federal Progressive Conservative leader Joe Clark to call a leadership convention in 1983. Tory delays announcing his intentions for three hours before declaring that he will remain as leader.
  • June 29, 2008 - Tory vows to win a seat in the Ontario legislature by the end of 2008.
  • September 12, 2008 - MPP Bill Murdoch is suspended from caucus after calling for Tory's resignation. He would be expelled eight days later.
  • January 9, 2009 - MPP Laurie Scott of the safe Conservative seat of Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock announces her resignation in order to allow Tory to attempt to win her seat in a by-election.
  • February 4, 2009 - Writ is dropped for a by-election in Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock to be held on March 5, 2009.
  • March 5, 2009 - Tory loses his bid coming almost 1,000 votes behind Liberal Rick Johnson.
  • March 6, 2009 - Tory announces he will resign as leader as soon as an interim leader is chosen to replace him.
  • March 9, 2009 - Party executive meets to discuss the specifics of the leadership election process. Decides to hold a convention in June with a precise date and venue yet to be determined.
  • March 20, 2009 - Bob Runciman chosen interim leader by caucus. John Tory's resignation goes into effect.[43] Masood Khan tells a Mississauga newspaper that he will be a candidate.
  • March 22, 2009 - The party executive sets June 27 as the date of the leadership convention and decides on the rules for the process.
  • March 29, 2009 - Frank Klees issues a statement announcing his candidacy.
  • March 30, 2009 - Randy Hillier announces his candidacy for the leadership.
  • March 31, 2009 - Christine Elliott files her nomination papers.
  • April 2, 2008 - Tim Hudak launches his candidacy.
  • April 17, 2009, Noon - Deadline for candidates to enter the race.
  • April 29, 2009, 5 pm - All candidates meeting at the Legion Hall, Fergus, Ontario. Hosted by Ted Arnott.
  • May 14, 2009 - Deadline to sign up new members of the party.
  • May 20, 2009 - All candidates debate at the Canadian Club in Toronto.
  • May 21, 2009 - First official debate, London.
  • May 27, 2009 - Second official debate, Sudbury.
  • June 4 - Third official debate, Markham.
  • June 10 - Fourth official debate, Ottawa.
  • June 18 - Televised debate on TVOntario's The Agenda with Steve Paikin.
  • June 21, 2009 - First voting date
  • June 25, 2009 - Second voting date
  • June 26, 2009 - Convention begins
  • June 27, 2009 - Votes counted and new leader announced
  • June 28, 2009 - Convention ends

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Hudak new Tory leader". Timmins Press. June 29, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  2. ^ Maria Babbage (March 22, 2009). "Ontario Tories to choose new leader in June". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  3. ^ nurun.com (May 16, 2009). "PC party ranks swell". Toronto Sun. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  4. ^ "Hudak is new Tory leader". thestar.com. June 27, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Runciman named interim leader of Ontario PCs". Toronto.ctv.ca. March 20, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  6. ^ "PC caucus members eye leadership runs". thestar.com. March 10, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  7. ^ "This page is available to GlobePlus subscribers". Theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  8. ^ a b c Antonella Artuso (May 17, 2009). "Extreme Makeover: Tory Edition". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  9. ^ The Hill Times. "The Hill Times - Canada's Politics and Government Newsweekly". Thehilltimes.ca. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  10. ^ a b c d "2009 PCPO Leadership Contest". Elections.on.ca. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  11. ^ a b "'I did my best,' Tory says in stepping down as Ontario PC leader". Cbc.ca. March 6, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  12. ^ Robert Benzie (April 1, 2009). "Christine Elliott enters Tory leadership race". thestar.com. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  13. ^ Canada. "Elliott Returns To Northern Ontario For Leadership Debate". Thealgomanews.ca. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  14. ^ Maria Babbage (April 1, 2009). "PC leadership could be a battle of the right-wingers: experts". thestar.com. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  15. ^ "York Region Breaking News - York Region's Online Newspaper".
  16. ^ a b "John Tory loses bid for seat in byelection". thestar.com. March 5, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  17. ^ "This page is available to GlobePlus subscribers". Theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  18. ^ National Post Story[dead link‍]
  19. ^ "The Ontario PC Party - Home". Ontariopc.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  20. ^ asteele (March 6, 2009). "The coronation of 'Mr. Hutton'". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  21. ^ Story - Ottawa Citizen Archived April 1, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ Story - Ottawa Citizen[dead link‍]
  23. ^ "First Ballot Results – UPDATED | United and Strong". Unitedandstrong.ca. June 27, 2009. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  24. ^ "Arnott rules out run at Tory leadership". News.therecord.com. March 11, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  25. ^ a b c Ontario's top Tory calls it quits after byelection loss [dead link‍]
  26. ^ a b The Canadian Press (March 6, 2009). "Tory steps aside". thestar.com. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  27. ^ "Politicians weigh in on leadership changes". News.guelphmercury.com. March 25, 2010. Archived from the original on March 12, 2009. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  28. ^ a b "This page is available to GlobePlus subscribers". Theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  29. ^ a b "Wilson, Dunlop likely to take a pass". Thebarrieexaminer.com. March 13, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  30. ^ a b c d "The Ontario PC Party - Home". Timhudak.ca. Archived from the original on May 4, 2009. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  31. ^ Ontario's top Tory calls it quits after byelection loss[dead link‍]
  32. ^ "Tories asked MP to run". Thepeterboroughexaminer.com. March 11, 2009. Archived from the original on May 5, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  33. ^ a b c Campbell Clark (March 20, 2009). "PC family ties complicate Ontario leadership race". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  34. ^ "This page is available to GlobePlus subscribers". Theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  35. ^ "Mississauga Breaking News - Mississauga's Online Newspaper".
  36. ^ "This page is available to GlobePlus subscribers". Theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  37. ^ YourOttawaRegion Article: Truck blaze lights up the night sky[dead link‍]
  38. ^ a b c "'I'm disappointed and I'm sad': John Tory". thestar.com. March 7, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  39. ^ "Miller won't run for leadership". HuntsvilleForester.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  40. ^ http://thescugogstandard.ca/news/2009/March-09/March27-09/O%27Toole_declines-807.html [dead link‍]
  41. ^ Gilligan, Keith (March 10, 2009). "Local Conservatives considering leadership run". newsdurhamregion.com. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  42. ^ "Bob Runciman rules out bid for leadership". Recorder.ca. April 6, 2011. Archived from the original on April 18, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  43. ^ a b The Ontario PC Party - Home[dead link‍]
  44. ^ "PC MPP Shurman says he won't run for leadership". Toronto.ctv.ca. March 10, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  45. ^ "Van Loan mum on political ambition". Thebarrieexaminer.com. March 13, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  46. ^ "Wilson won't rule out leadership bid". Simcoe.com. March 11, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  47. ^ "Witmer not running for provincial Conservative leadership". Wellandtribune.ca. April 18, 2011. Archived from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  48. ^ "Local MPP says no to top job". Thedailyobserver.ca. March 25, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  49. ^ Rule 5.7.1, http://www.ontariopc.com/documents/2009%20final%20leadership%20rules%20-%20march%2022,%202009.pdf
  50. ^ http://www.ontariopc.com/documents/2009%20final%20leadership%20rules%20-%20march%2022,%202009.pdf [dead link‍]
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