Controversial Tory leadership contender Leitch to quit politics
OTTAWA — Kellie Leitch, a Harper-era cabinet minister who was accused of dog-whistle politics in her bid to lead the Conservative party, will not run in 2019.
Leitch, who championed socalled “Canadian values” screening for immigrants during her 2017 leadership bid, confirmed Wednesday she would not seek re-election.
The pediatric surgeon and longtime Conservative organizer was facing a serious challenge for the party’s nomination, despite representing Simcoe-Grey since 2011.
“As much as I have enjoyed public life, the time has now come for me to return to (pediatric surgery),” Leitch wrote in a statement. “I will remain active in contributing to my community … and as a volunteer supporting the efforts of the Conservative party, its leader and its candidates.”
Leitch held various cabinet rolls under Stephen Harper.
With former Ontario MP Chris Alexander, Leitch championed the “Barbaric Cultural Practices Hotline” in the 2015 election. Leitch eventually gave a tearful public apology for the policy, which critics labelled a “snitch line” with racist undertones. But months later, she courted controversy by focusing her leadership bid on so-called “Canadian values,” widely viewed as anti-immigrant and nativist.
Leitch went on to finish a distant sixth among 13 candidates. After the contest, she found herself marginalized in the Tory caucus, one of the only leadership contenders to be left out of leader Andrew Scheer’s shadow cabinet.
She also faced challenges for the right to represent the party in her riding. Gillian Yeates, a fellow MD, and Terry Dowdall, the mayor of Essa Township, are also running.
Tory insiders doubt she’d have lost the nomination. Even those who bitterly opposed her leadership campaign praise her work ethic and organizational skills.
Scheer thanked Leitch for her contributions to the party.
“We have all come to greatly respect Kellie’s experience, ability and passion for public service,” a statement said.
Leitch said she intends to work with Health Volunteers Overseas, an organization that helps train health professionals, in Ghana.