Aspiring Conservative leaders have wooed Toronto and its suburbs

There are Donald Trump followers who want to be Canadian Great Again. Opponents of forced vaccinations and people supporting truck convoys, proliberty and antidictatorship. And even some conspiracy theorists, who criticize the dominance of the World Economic Forum.

But most people nowadays fear mainly the rising cost of living, in a region where the median price of homes exceeds a million dollars. Anxiety is where Pierre Poilievre bets, promising to advance access to property and remove vague administrative barriers.

This is a message that appeals to its supporters. Enough to wait an hour after the rally to take a picture with him. If selfies count in support of the leadership race, Pierre Poilievre is right to smile.

In a region like Toronto, which has repeatedly shunned the Conservatives, this type of rally is boosting the hopes of supporters. I see opportunities for successes in the Toronto area for Mr. Poilievresaid Derek Leebosh, vice-president of polling firm Environics.

” For a Conservative member, it should be exciting to see a leadership candidate who attracts so many people. Looks like a win! “

Things have been difficult for Conservatives in the GTA over the past seven years. If a leadership candidate shows he can earn there, it’s another card in his game, the pollster believes.

Courtship in cultural communities

Wednesday morning, at a restaurant in Markham, several journalists of Chinese descent were waiting for aspiring chef Jean Charest. The atmosphere became more intimate. A big difference to his opponent’s rally the day before.

Jean Charest explicitly appeals to the cultural communities of Toronto’s suburbs, whose political weight is important, both for leadership and for general elections.

Conservatives have been losing in the GTA since 2015said Jean Charest. That was three consecutive elections.

In 2011, the suburbs were painted blue and Stephen Harper was in the crowd. Four years later, a red tidal wave brought Justin Trudeau to power.

” This is a harsh judgment against the Conservative Party, which has failed to garner the support of cultural communities and new Canadians in the Toronto region. “

He referred to a policy of Stephen Harper, who wanted to set up a toll-free 1,800 line so citizens could report barbaric practices cultural communities – a policy supported by Pierre Poilievre at the time, Jean Charest recalled.

All this left a very negative impressionwhich continues, according to him. Do we want a leader who will win us a general election or a leader who will reduce the party base?

For conservatives, the return of power has come through these particular communities. And another aspiring chef got it right.

A campaign underground

Patrick Brown runs kitchen meetings in Sri Lankan or Nepalese communities and participates in Sikh, Hindu or Muslim gatherings.

The candidate takes advantage of his massive network of multicultural contacts, which dramatically allowed him to win as mayor of Brampton, northwest of Toronto.

It promises new infrastructure for cricket, visa offices in Nepal and better access for these communities to the center of government decision -making.

Notably Mr. promised. Brown called on religious communities to attack the Quebec Secularism Act. No one should lose their job because of their faith, even if they want to wear a turban, hijab, kirpan, cross.he said at his campaign launch.

But don’t look for Patrick Brown in the mainstream media. He declines all interview requests. He led a underground campaignsaid Derek Leebosh

” It’s like a machine to get new party members within these communities. It’s under the radar, but it could have a huge impact on racing. “

To be a conservative leader, you have to attract the GTA. To be Prime Minister too. The leadership career serves as a rehearsal for the next general election.