Former Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill MP Leona Alleslev has been ousted from the federal Conservative leadership race less than one month after joining it.
The Conservative Party announced May 2 the six verified candidates that would proceed to the next election stage, with Alleslev excluded from the list.
Alleslev originally announced her candidacy April 6. In a Facebook statement, she said she wanted to add her voice to the “fundamental conversation” of what the party should become.
“Unfortunately, our valiant effort was not enough to help us reach the next phase in the leadership race,” she said May 2. “I want to thank my amazing campaign team, our supporters, donors and volunteers for their contribution to our campaign.”
The Conservative leadership race rules required candidates to supply a $200,000 leadership fee by April 29, plus a $100,000 refundable compliance deposit. Candidates must also have nominations from at least 500 party members across 30 or more electoral districts in seven or more provinces/territories. The successful candidates include Scott Aitchison, Roman Baber, Patrick Brown, Jean Charest, Leslyn Lewis and Pierre Poilievre.
Alleslev declined an interview request.
In an April 28 video, Alleslev said her vision of Canada is “united from coast to coast to coast, where Canadians from every region are valued, where our differences are respected, and our unity is our strength. She added that resources from every region would be championed, and “foreign influence” would have no power.
“Together, we will create a more united, more secure, and more prosperous Canada,” she said.
The candidate joined later than other prospective leaders. Poilievre was the first to announce Feb. 5, two months before Alleslev formerly declared. Other candidates such as Brown, Charest and Lewis formally announced their bids in early March.
Alleslev has been fundraising since she joined the race, including an April 27 reception at the Toronto Beach Club asking for donations of $1,000 to $1,675.
The former Liberal was first elected in 2015, before crossing the floor to join the Conservatives in September 2018. She won re-election as a Conservative in 2019 and was appointed deputy opposition leader, though stepped down from that role in 2020. She backed Peter MacKay’s unsuccessful leadership bid in 2020.
In last year’s federal election, Alleslev lost her seat to Liberal Leah Taylor Roy by 1,450 votes.
The politician did not specify her future plans, though supporters commented that they hope she runs again.
“Please run in the next election regardless, we need strong voices like yours,” one supporter said in a Facebook comment.
Alleslev expressed appreciation for the supporters of her leadership bid.
“While I may not continue as a candidate in this leadership race, I will never waiver in my dedication to serving our country to create a more united, more prosperous and more secure Canada,” she said.
The party will elect its next leader Sept. 10.
