Rona Ambrose named interim Conservative leader
Ambrose elected by the Conservative caucus on a day that party elder Brian Mulroney urges a “visionary” leader must replace Harper

TheStar.com
Nov. 5, 2015
Tonda MacCharles

Conservative MPs said goodbye to the Stephen Harper era by voting for a woman — Rona Ambrose — to replace him until a permanent leader is chosen.

Hours later, former prime minister Brian Mulroney said the party should take time to pick a leader who has vision or it would languish in Opposition.

In an address to the Albany Club in Toronto, Mulroney said the party would be invited to form government “only when Canadians feel that we are worthy of their trust, that we reflect their values and that we offer them a vision of Canada that is grand, generous and true.”

“We must approach the leadership change with prudence and care. Time will be required to get it right,” Mulroney said in remarks prepared for Sir John A. Macdonald bicentennial celebrations.

He did not directly criticize Harper, saying he “rendered important service to Canada” and is “needed in our rebuilding.” But Mulroney said the “challenge is great” for the party to develop policies that accentuate hope and “in a tone and with a voice that eschews harshness.”

Mulroney’s comments echoed defeated and newly elected Conservative MPs who met in Ottawa Thursday for the first time since the Oct. 19 loss. All underscored the need for the party to change its tone and communicate its message better. But most insisted the party’s policies were sound and “compassionate.”

“We got the big things right. We got the tone wrong,” said Jason Kenney, believed to be the leadership frontrunner if he decides to run.

However, there was little sign of a new tone from the newly elected interim leader in her first public outing. Ambrose stumbled badly, spoke stilted French, and handed off to a male colleague before reluctantly answering a few questions — despite a promise to be more open and accessible.

Asked how she would convey a new tone, she stammered: “Well, I’m here. I’m not sure if that’s a reflection of a new tone, but my colleagues chose me and they put their trust in me.” A source said Ambrose was simply shocked to find herself the winner of a race that saw seven others vying to lead caucus.

If Mulroney is counselling vision in a leader, Harper was the opposite.

Throughout his time in government, Harper avoided using the “vision” word. He dismissed grand national strategies and preferred incremental action to shape a smaller national government and to move the country in a more conservative direction.

On Thursday, Harper ducked in the back door of Centre Block and delivered a brief farewell speech, taking full blame for the party’s election loss. One MP said he looked relieved, like the weight of the world was off his shoulders.” Another said he was “content” and spoke with “a sense of accomplishment” about his nearly 10 years in government.

The other Conservative claiming accomplishment was MP Michael Chong, who saw the Tory caucus vote to adopt two new rules and modify a third rule under the Reform Act he championed. It gives MPs greater say in the expulsion and readmission of delinquent caucus members, in the selection of caucus chair, and in choosing an interim leader — instead of having party brass choose.

“It’s a great day for Canadian democracy. I hope members of parliament in all caucuses use the tools that are now provided to them,” he said.