On the eve of the vote, MacKay’s front-runner status is no longer secure

Erin O’Toole's fundraising in the second quarter was $1.24-million with Peter MacKay's raising $1.16-million. The difference is not that great, but the momentum shift definitely favours O’Toole. The Conservative voting system also lends itself to surprises.

Peter MacKay, pictured in June 2014, on the Hill. The Conservative voting system also lends itself to surprises. The party votes on a points system by riding. With 100 points attached to each riding, divided amongst candidates, a constituency with 10 members has equal voting power to a constituency with 1,000 members. That means a front-runner in the national popular vote does not necessarily win the election, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times file photograph by Jake Wright

Opinion

BY SHEILA COPPS

August 10, 2020

OTTAWA—In two shorts weeks, the Conservative Party of Canada will vote for a new leader. If the recent uptick in fundraising numbers holds for Erin O’Toole, the race momentum appears to be shifting. Internal and public polling put veteran Peter MacKay far ahead of the rest of the pack in terms...

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