Federal Conservative leadership candidate Peter MacKay has gained the endorsement of former Progressive Conservative Premier Pat Binns and Former Egmont MP Gail Shea.
The endorsements were announced in a media statement from the MacKay campaign on Thursday.
Nationally, all four candidates for leadership – Erin O’Toole, MacKay, Derek Sloan and Leslyn Lewis – have until midnight on Friday to sign up new members. In political leadership campaigns, the push for membership sign-ups is often critical for garnering supporters. Conservative party members will choose a new leader as of August 21.
A media statement sent by the MacKay campaign emphasized the former Nova Scotia MP’s experience as a cabinet minister during the Harper government.
“Peter MacKay has the experience to become our next prime minister,” read a quote from Binns.
“His work at Foreign Affairs and National Defence has given him the experience to lead Canada in this changing world.”
“I have the highest praise for his abilities and his integrity,” read a quote from Shea.
“I was impressed by his interest in Prince Edward Island and his sincere desire to help.”
Although no sitting Progressive Conservative MLAs in P.E.I. have endorsed any federal leadership candidate, Transportation Minister Steven Myers attended his campaign launch in January in Nova Scotia and Jamie Fox has shared tweets from MacKay’s campaign on his personal account.
A representative from the MacKay campaign indicated that his support is particularly strong in P.E.I.
The Guardian reached out to the campaign of Erin O’Toole. Press secretary Chelsea Tucker did not provide a local representative for the campaign but said the campaign is busy with membership sign-ups.
“P.E.I. Conservatives are tired of being taken for granted by four Liberal MPs,” Tucker said in the e-mail.
“They know Erin is the candidate who can unite Conservatives and win all across Canada - including on the Island.”
It remains unclear to what degree social conservatives will have an impact on the leadership race. Media reports have identified Derek Sloan and Leslyn Lewis as the candidates most likely to appeal to social conservatives, due in part to their pro-life stances. The national Campaign Life Coalition is encouraging members to support either Sloan or Lewis.
The Guardian reached out to P.E.I Right to Life executive director Pat Wiedemer, who said the organization encourages its members to support pro-life candidates, but said the organization will not be endorsing a candidate in the Conservative race.
