Hastings-Lennox and Addington MP Derek Sloan is the fourth name on the ballot to become Conservative Party leader.
Candidates had to raise $100,000 on top of the $200,000 they already have raised during the campaign and get 3,000 signatures. Sloan, Toronto lawyer Leslyn Lewis, former MP Peter McKay, and MP for Durham Erin O’Toole are the other candidates in the race.
The cut-off date to get the required funding and signatures is Wednesday, but Sloan doesn’t believe any more candidates will meet the threshold to officially get their name on the ballot.
“We’ve reached a major milestone no matter how things turn out from here,” the MP says. He adds that this support speaks to the fact that Conservatives are buying into what he’s saying.
Compared to the other three candidates, Sloan’s name isn’t as well-known amongst Canadians, but he says that hasn’t been a problem during the campaign. “What matters the most is communication with Conservative party members,” he says. “Getting general media coverage can be helpful, but the most important thing is communicating with members.”
Despite the positive momentum, Sloan is asking the organizing committee to stop the race due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. “For our campaigns, we have to continue fundraising and putting out policy,” he says. “Now isn’t the right time to do that.” Sloan says that people are dealing with things more serious right now. “People are concerned right now with staying healthy,” he says.
Sloan says it sends a bad message if the party doesn’t take a break.
As it stands, June 27th is set as the day the leadership election will conclude and the party leader will be announced in Toronto.