Politics This Morning: MacKay officially enters race for Conservative leadership

Good Thursday morning, After months of speculation, former Conservative minister Peter MacKay officially announced his bid to replace outgoing leader Andrew Scheer, making him the first heavyweight from the Harper era to jump into the mix. Mr. MacKay, now a partner at law firm Baker McKenzie in Toronto, briefly took some heat from Mr. Scheer's defenders when he candidly weighed in on the party's election loss, placing blame on the leader's handling of criticism around his views on abortion and LGBTQ rights. His announcement comes on the same day La Presse reported Rona Ambrose, former interim Conservative leader, is no longer entertaining a potential bid. Sources speaking to CBC, however, reported that Ms. Ambrose still has to gauge how much enthusiasm there is for her candidacy, and has yet to come to a decision. Mr. MacKay is reportedly going to be in St. John's, N.L., for the funeral of former MP and cabinet minister John Crosbie, who died of cancer last week, according to Cape Breton Post. He may bump into his would-be political rival, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who will also be in town to pay his respects. Ottawa community gathered at Carleton University on Jan. 15 to mourn the victims of Flight 752. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade Former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper resigned from the board of the Conservative Fund, the party's fundraising arm, in preparation for an effort to block the candidacy of ex-Quebec premier Jean Charest, according to Maclean's. Mr. Charest appears to be testing the waters, though faces questions around a potential conflict of interest over his work advising Huawei in the extradition case involving its executive, Meng Wanzhou. Parliamentary secretary to the PM, Omar Alghabra, said short-term compensation for the victims' families of Flight 752 may be coming, as the government is "actively exploring" its options. Mr. Alghabra, who is liaising with victims' families, yesterday joined Transport Minister Marc Garneau for an update on the ongoing probe into the downing of the civilian jet. Mr. Garneau told reporters Canada is seeking an official status in the investigation, ensuring that Canadian authorities are present for the download and analysis of the black boxes. Foreign ministers are meeting at Canada House in London, U.K., today to discuss the range of legal avenues they can take in response to the shoot-down. Outspoken Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith waded into the debate over whether Canada should foot the security tab for the Sussexes in response to a column calling Canadians cheapskates, saying we wouldn't "provide security detail or any financing for adult children of sitting Prime Ministers," so it's unimaginable that we would cover their bill. Some estimates have the costs pegged at $10-million annually. Canada's federal parties are facing a competition probe over their use and collection of Canadians' data, according to Toronto Star. The agency will be investigating how the Liberals, Conservatives, and NDP are gathering and using data to advance their political interests. Political parties are currently exempt from complying with privacy laws, with each in charge of shaping their own data practices. The U.S. Senate is expected to vote today on the updated NAFTA deal, clearing the way for Canada to follow suit when Parliament reconvenes later this month. On the ministerial circuit today are Finance Minister Bill Morneau, who is taking his consultations on the budget to Calgary, while ministers Mona Fortier and Filomena Tassi hold talks in Hamilton, Ont. The Hill Times

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Politics This Morning

Politics This Morning: MacKay officially enters race for Conservative leadership

Plus, foreign ministers are meeting at Canada House in London, U.K., today to discuss the range of legal avenues they can take in response to the shoot-down.

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Politics This Morning

Politics This Morning: MacKay officially enters race for Conservative leadership

Plus, foreign ministers are meeting at Canada House in London, U.K., today to discuss the range of legal avenues they can take in response to the shoot-down.

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