Conservative nomination battle heats up in Ontario
O T TAWA • A Conservative nomination battle in Ontario is pitting two powerful political camps against one another — and causing grumbling in the ranks about party headquarters.
Paul Smith, a 50-year-old corporate executive and for- mer assistant to prime minister Brian Mulroney, is running against 24-year-old businessman Adam Moulton in the riding of Northumberl and-Peterborough South.
Both men have impressive backers. Mr. Mulroney and son Ben appeared at a fundraiser for Mr. Smith last month, and he has the support of nearby MPs Erin O’Toole and Dean Del Mastro. Mr. Moulton has received the endorsement of Employment Minister Jason Kenney, and others including New Brunswick MP John Williamson.
When the local Canadian Tire, owned by Mr. Moulton’s father, Ralph, began selling Conservative party memberships to help his campaign, Mr. Smith’s supporters cried foul. They also accused the party of closing the sale of memberships a month earlier than originally planned, leaving Mr. Smith at a disadvantage.
The matter was reviewed by the party’s National Candidate Selection Committee, which ultimately gave Mr. Moulton approval to run for the nomination. But members of the local candidate screening team in the riding didn’t all agree he should be given the go-ahead.
Conservative spokesman Cory Hann, however, said the party had examined the matter.
“The party looked into this and after a review found no nomination rules or Elections Act rules were broken,” he said in an email.
A senior Conservative activist familiar with the brouhaha said it all boils down to an attractive riding and the high stakes that go along with it. Mr. Norlock won the riding in 2011 with 54% of the vote.
“It’s a very competitive race where any Conservative candidate would like those odds next fall and of course people have their elbows up,” said the source.