It’s official.
Former North Vancouver MP Andrew Saxton will attempt to become the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, according to his campaign spokesman Brock Stephenson.
Saxton is expected to promote himself as a responsible financial steward as well as the lone voice from British Columbia in the leadership campaign.
Saxton, who lost his seat in 2015 after serving two terms as North Vancouver’s member of Parliament, has frequently been critical of the Liberals, recently taking to Twitter to blast Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s implementation of the carbon tax.
While discussing the possibility he might wade into the leadership race last summer, Saxton was quick to tout his role as a key player in the Conservative government led by former prime minister Stephen Harper.
“I was (finance minister) Jim Flaherty’s right-hand man as parliamentary secretary of finance,” he said. “I was part of the team that balanced the budget.”
Saxton has said he will likely walk away from his current role overseeing residential construction with real estate investment company King George Financial Corp. once the race begins.
Saxton is planning an official announcement next week in North Vancouver, according to Stephenson.
Candidates for the Conservative leadership need to first pay a $50,000 registration fee. Saxton will also have to pay a $50,000 compliance fee before the end of the year.
After representing North Vancouver for seven years, Saxton lost his seat in 2015 as a Liberal surge ushered Justin Trudeau into the Prime Minister’s office. New MP Jonathan Wilkinson captured 56 per cent of the vote in North Vancouver, handily defeating Saxton, who garnered 27 per cent.
Confirmed as leadership candidates on the Conservative Party’s website are Maxime Bernier, Michael Chong, Kellie Leitch, Deepak Obhrai, Andrew Scheer and Brad Trost.
Previous hopeful Ontario MP Tony Clement recently dropped out of the race.
