Two more join crowded race for Tory leadership

Former MP Andrew Saxton, Rick Peterson highlight their business experience

OTTAWA— The Conservative leadership race has two more names — both from British Columbia — on its growing list of contenders.

Andrew Saxton, Conservative MP for North Vancouver for seven years before losing his seat in the last election, and Vancouver businessman Rick Peterson both launched campaigns Tuesday to replace former prime minister Stephen Harper as party leader.

The two highlighted their experience in the business world.

“I am the only candidate who has significant financial experience in both the private sector and in government,” said Saxton, who served as parliamentary secretary to two finance ministers and the president of the Treasury Board during his time in the previous Conservative government.

Saxton underlined that experience, which he said included being part of the team that helped the country weather the 2008 recession.

Peterson, meanwhile, said he plans to focus his campaign on his ideas for the economy, such as getting rid of corporate income taxes.

Peterson, a bilingual Alberta native who lost a 2014 bid to lead the B.C. Conservative party, also wants to boost terrorist surveillance and enhance security screening for immigrants, but stops short of a values test such as the one put forward by rival Kellie Leitch.

Neither candidate has filed his paperwork or paid the first $25,000 instalment of the registration fee required to officially register as a candidate, but both say they are working on these.

The Conservatives are to elect their new leader next May 27.