The banker
Name: Andrew Saxton Age: 52 Current job: CEO of a real estate company Former North Vancouver MP Andrew Saxton is pushing his private sector bona fides in his bid to lead the Conser- vatives.
Saxton, who served as a parliamentary secretary for Finance and Treasury Board in the previous Conservative government, had a successful career in private banking before he was first elected in 2008.
In fact, Saxton claims to be the only candidate in the race to replace Stephen Harper that can boast “significant” experience in both the private and public realms.
Saxton’s limited platform statements so far hit familiar Conservative party notes — lower taxes (while maintaining “effective” government), avoiding deficit spending, and reducing regulations.
“I would be committed to taking steps that would create a vibrant, free and unfettered economy that gives every Cana- dian the opportunity to both contribute to and share in our nation’s progress and prosperity,” Saxton said in October, when he launched his campaign.
Between his launch and the end of 2016, the campaign reported more than $100,000 in donations, putting Saxton firmly in the middle of the pack in terms of fundraising. Most of that money came from donors giving more than $1,000 each.
He’s advocating for something he calls the “Canadian Dream” — the opportunity for any Canadian to succeed, regardless of “what your last name is, or how long you’ve been here.”
It’s a message that puts his campaign at odds with some of the immigration and national security messages of candidates like Kellie Leitch and Steven Blaney.
Saxton’s family experience may have informed that message. According to his biography, his father immigrated from Hungary as a 17-year-old orphan before starting a successful financial company.
“Canada offered my father the opportunity and freedom to transform ideas and hard work into a better life for him and his family,” Saxton wrote.
“I want to make sure that this opportunity continues to be available for future generations.”
Chance of winning:
Saxton has run a low-key campaign, failing to make much of a splash. You could generously call him a very long shot.