Peter MacKay will seek Conservative leadership

Peter MacKay will seek the Conservative leadership.

MacKay made the announcement on his Twitter account stating: "I'm in, stay tuned."

MacKay is attending the funeral for John Crosbie in Newfoundland on Thursday and will be back in Central Nova in a week or so, he said.

It is speculated he will officially announce his intentions to run at that time. Ryan Sharpe, president of the Central Nova Conservative Association, said MacKay is expected to be at a meeting held by the association at the Plymouth Fire Hall on Saturday, Jan. 25.

Sharpe said the announcement is great news for the riding, which MacKay once held.

“I’m really excited that he’s in and look forward to hitting the ground running and helping the team out with getting our memberships sold,” he said.

He said there is an excitement about the possibility of having the next prime minister from this riding and believes MacKay has the characteristics to represent Central Nova and Canada well on the international stage.

“He’s genuine. You can tell he really cares about the people and about his home. His heart’s in it. He genuinely wants to see Central Nova and Canada thrive and succeed.”

Sharpe said he believes MacKay would run in Central Nova at the earliest opportunity. Currently the seat is held by Liberal MP Sean Fraser.

Fraser defeated country music star turned Conservative candidate George Canyon in the last election.

Jim Ryan, who is mayor of the Town of Pictou and a member of the executive of the Central Nova Conservative Association, also said it’s big news for Central Nova.

“It’s always a positive thing when someone from the area with a strong history in the area puts themselves forward for a leadership position like this,” he said.

Ryan believes MacKay’s communication skills will be an asset for him as a leader.

“He has the ability to bring people together. I think he works for the people and wants what’s best for everyone.”

MacKay was an MP from 1997 to 2015 and was the final leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party which merged with Stephen Harper’s Canadian Alliance in 2003 to form the Conservative Party of Canada.

During his time as MP, MacKay held several significant cabinet positions, including minister of Justice and attorney general (2013-2015), National Defence (2007-2013) and Foreign Affairs (2006-2007).

He announced on May 29, 2015, that he would not be seeking re-election in that fall’s election.

Since then, MacKay has been working at the Baker McKenzie law firm in Toronto, but has remained active on the political scene, attending many Conservative party events and assisting Conservative candidates in the most recent election.

He and his wife Nazanin Afshin-Jam have three children.

The Conservative party leader will be chosen on June 27, 2020 in Toronto.