10 Ontarians That Would Be Better Leaders Than John Tory

It must be a sign of desperation, but the key argument that I hear from John Tory’s defenders is that there is no better alternative. This is a very optimistic take on Mr. Tory given that outside of Toronto, the only thing people know him for is an ill-fated promise regarding school funding and opportunistically backing down on said promise in the last week of an election in the hope of getting a larger caucus. More specifically, he isn’t known as principled, honest, strong, for his vision, or trustworthiness.

Aside from Mr. Tory’s lack of credentials, let’s look at ten other names associated with the PC Party that we could reasonably expect to run in a leadership race if one is called at the end of February:

I start this list off with another red tory because a great deal of John Tory’s support comes from that wing of the party. Mr. Van Loan has been rumored to have a campaign network ready for when the top job becomes available provincially and is currently an attractive catch for the party, as he currently serves in a highly visible cabinet position within the Harper government in Ottawa. He also wouldn’t be the first federal minister/header to quit his post and risk a crack at a Premiership, with Brian Tobin and Jean Charest being two of the latest examples.

The MPP for Niagara West—Glanbrook, Hudak is young (his family just received the blessing a of a new baby girl in the fall), talented and said to be interested in taking a run for the leader’s job but does not want to get into the fray of the current leadership vote. Hudak is one of the PC all-stars in the Opposition caucus and also has ministerial experience under former Premiers Harris and Eves.

The new MPP for Thornhill and potentially the party’s version of Dalton McGuinty, who only had a term’s experience in the legislature when he went on to be Liberal leader. Shurman is a natural public speaker, having been a radio talk show host on CFRB 1010 before the PCs drafted him as a star candidate. While very opinionated, he would also enter the race without any ideological baggage, having not made it clear on what part of the party he most associates with, and thus he can heal the rift that Tory began in creating a Red Tory-centric party upon winning the leadership in 2004.

Given the prominence of the environment these days, the former Hamilton East – Stoney Creek candidate in the 2004 federal election might be poised to open up a new flank against the Liberals. Eisenberger is currently the Mayor of Hamilton and has been able to push forward a few initiatives that have been designed to clean up the city’s environment, while also calling for moderation on city spending. He might just serve as the “ideas candidate” in the race if he enters, and could easily position himself to be noted as a star candidate in 2011 even if he lost.

The wife of federal finance minister Jim Flaherty and a successful lawyer, Elliott currently holds the honour of being the only GTA candidate to win a by-election since the party’s loss in 2003 (Burlington, for the record, is not the GTA thank you!). A strong performer in the legislature, she would also be able to rebuild much of her husband’s campaign machinery and allow the family a third straight run for the leadership, although this time through the first woman who has a realistic chance of winning the contest.

The MP for Barrie, Brown grew up within the Ontario PC’s youth wing before going on to contest the 2004 and 2006 federal elections. He would bring a youthful flare to the race and probably be able to contest the leadership quite competitively having been an up and coming star for the current generation of 25 to 35 year old party members. He has also been an ideas man, serving as a successful councilor in Barrie before being elected as an MP and helping to bring that city’s budget under control.

Having ran last time, it’s no secret that Klees is expecting to take a crack at the top job again. Being a more populist candidate, he was also pressured to leave the Harris cabinet in 2000 and run for the leadership of the then-upstart Canadian Alliance. Klees is an impressive public speaker and serves as the party’s current spiritual successor to Mike Harris as far as being forthcoming with his ideas in plain simple terms is concerned.

Another caucus member and former leadership contender, Witmer bowed out of the 2004 contest only because John Tory entered it. She is adored in her riding of Kitchener – Waterloo, and is probably the only PC member more liberal than Tory. She still has a following among the party faithful and like Klees, has made it no secret that she eventually wants to the lead the party into an election.

Having tempered his image in a stint as Canada’s health minister, Clement could easily contest his third leadership contest this decade and improve on his respectable third place finish in the 2002 race. He has a base of supporters already lined up, and both accomplishments and networks within the provincial and federal spheres.

While a bit of a stretch, this name has been thrown around as well given that Mr. Kent might not be able to contest the Thornhill seat federally until well over a year from now. Like Tory, he is well known and has a likable reputation in Ontario’s capital, but unlike Tory he’s a capable debater (having worked with Global’s news team for decades) and isn’t tied to the old boys club of the party.

And there you have it: ten names representing a geographically, philosophically and gender diverse field of potential candidates within our party. This list contains experience from all levels of government: municipal, school boards, provincial and federal. It wouldn’t be a stretch to see even just four of the ten people enter a leadership contest this year, and who knows who else is silently waiting in the wings of the party, waiting for their time to arrive…