

Currently released so far... 12404 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
ASEC
AE
AF
AM
AR
AJ
AU
AORC
AG
AEMR
AMGT
APER
AGMT
AL
AFIN
AO
AMED
ADCO
AS
ABUD
ABLD
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APECO
AID
AND
AMBASSADOR
AN
ARM
AY
AODE
AMG
ASCH
AMCHAMS
ARF
APCS
APEC
ASEAN
AGAO
ANET
ADPM
ACOA
ACABQ
AORL
AFFAIRS
ATRN
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ADANA
ASIG
AA
AX
AUC
AC
AECL
AADP
AGRICULTURE
AMEX
ACAO
ACBAQ
AQ
AORG
ADM
AINF
AIT
ASEX
AGR
AROC
ATFN
AFGHANISTAN
AFU
AER
ALOW
AZ
AVERY
BA
BY
BU
BR
BE
BL
BO
BK
BM
BILAT
BH
BEXP
BF
BTIO
BC
BBSR
BMGT
BTIU
BG
BWC
BB
BD
BX
BP
BRUSSELS
BN
BIDEN
BT
CW
CH
CF
CD
CV
CVIS
CM
CE
CA
CJAN
CLINTON
CIA
CU
CASC
CI
CO
CACM
CDB
CN
CMGT
CS
CG
CBW
CIS
CR
CONDOLEEZZA
CPAS
CAN
CWC
CY
COUNTER
CDG
CL
CT
CIC
CIDA
CSW
CHR
CB
CODEL
COUNTERTERRORISM
CTR
COM
CICTE
CFED
CJUS
CKGR
CBSA
CEUDA
CARSON
CONS
CITEL
CLMT
CROS
CITT
CAC
CVR
CDC
CAPC
COPUOS
CBC
CBE
CARICOM
COE
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CTM
CNARC
ECON
EFIN
ETRD
EUN
EFIS
EG
ETTC
EZ
EPET
EAID
EAGR
ENRG
ECUN
EU
ELAB
ECPS
EAIR
EINV
ELTN
EWWT
EIND
EMIN
EI
ECIN
ENVR
ELECTIONS
EINVEFIN
EN
ES
ER
EC
EUC
EINT
EINVETC
ENGR
ET
EK
ENIV
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ECONOMY
EAP
EFTA
EUR
EUMEM
EXIM
ERD
ENERG
EUREM
ESA
ERNG
EXTERNAL
EPA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
ECONOMICS
ELN
EINN
EFINECONCS
ENNP
EEPET
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ENVI
ETRO
ESENV
ECINECONCS
ECONOMIC
EAIDS
EDU
ETRA
ETRN
EFIM
EIAR
ETRC
EAIG
EXBS
EURN
ECIP
EREL
ECA
ENGY
ECONCS
ECONEFIN
ETC
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINDETRD
IR
IZ
IS
IAEA
INRB
IRAJ
IQ
IN
IT
IMO
INTERPOL
ICAO
IO
IC
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ICTY
ID
IPR
IWC
ILC
INTELSAT
IL
IBRD
IMF
IA
IRC
ICRC
ILO
ITU
ITRA
IV
IDA
IAHRC
ICJ
ISRAELI
IRS
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
IZPREL
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITF
IBET
IEFIN
INR
IACI
INTERNAL
IDP
IGAD
IEA
ICTR
IIP
INRA
INRO
IF
KJUS
KSCA
KNNP
KU
KCOR
KCRM
KDEM
KTFN
KHLS
KPAL
KWBG
KACT
KGHG
KPAO
KTIA
KIRF
KWMN
KS
KG
KZ
KN
KMDR
KISL
KSPR
KHIV
KPRP
KAWK
KR
KUNR
KDRG
KCIP
KGCC
KTIP
KSUM
KPKO
KVIR
KAWC
KPIN
KGIC
KRAD
KIPR
KOLY
KCFE
KMCA
KE
KV
KICC
KNPP
KBCT
KSEP
KFRD
KFLU
KVPR
KOCI
KBIO
KSTH
KMPI
KCRS
KOMC
KTBT
KPLS
KIRC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLO
KBTS
KSTC
KTDB
KFSC
KX
KFTFN
KNEI
KIDE
KREC
KMRS
KICA
KPAONZ
KCGC
KSAF
KRGY
KCMR
KRVC
KVRP
KSEO
KCOM
KAID
KTEX
KNUC
KNAR
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KLIG
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCRCM
KHDP
KGIT
KNSD
KOMS
KWMM
KPAI
KHSA
KTLA
KO
KMFO
KRCM
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KPWR
KID
KWNM
KRIM
KPOA
KCHG
KOM
KSCI
KFIN
KMOC
KESS
KWAC
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KPRV
KBTR
KERG
KTER
KDDG
KPAK
KRFD
KHUM
KDEV
KCFC
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KJUST
MARR
MOPS
MU
MTCRE
MNUC
MY
MASS
MCAP
MOPPS
MAR
MPOS
MO
ML
MR
MASC
MX
MD
MP
MA
MTRE
MIL
MCC
MZ
MK
MDC
MRCRE
MAPS
MV
MI
MEPN
MAPP
MEETINGS
MAS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTCR
MG
MC
MARAD
MIK
MILITARY
MEDIA
MEPI
MUCN
MEPP
MT
MERCOSUR
MW
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
NZ
NATO
NG
NI
NO
NATIONAL
NU
NPT
NIPP
NL
NPG
NS
NA
NGO
NP
NSG
NDP
NAFTA
NR
NC
NH
NE
NSF
NPA
NK
NSSP
NRR
NATOPREL
NSC
NT
NW
NORAD
NEW
NV
NSFO
NAR
NASA
NZUS
OTRA
OVIP
OPRC
OPDC
OSCE
OAS
ODIP
OIIP
OFDP
OVP
OREP
OFFICIALS
OSAC
OEXC
OPCW
OIE
OIC
OFDA
OSCI
OPIC
OBSP
OECD
ON
OCII
OHUM
OES
OCS
OMIG
OPAD
OTR
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PSOE
PINS
PARM
PK
PBTS
PEPR
PM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PREF
PBIO
PROP
PA
PSI
PINT
PO
PKFK
PL
PAK
PE
POLITICS
PINL
POL
PHSA
PU
PF
POV
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PARMS
PRGOV
PNAT
POLINT
PRAM
PMAR
PG
PAO
PROG
PRELP
PPA
PCUL
PSEPC
PSA
PREO
PAHO
PGIV
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POSTS
PTBS
PGOVLO
PORG
PGOVE
PLN
PINF
PAS
PUNE
POLICY
PDEM
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PHUMPGOV
PMIL
PNG
PP
PS
PHUH
PECON
POGOV
PY
PHUMPREL
PHUS
PRL
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
PEL
RS
RU
RW
REGION
RP
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RUPREL
RM
RO
RCMP
RSO
RELATIONS
REACTION
REPORT
RIGHTS
ROOD
RF
RFE
RIGHTSPOLMIL
SP
SA
SY
SF
SYR
SENV
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SO
SU
SG
STEINBERG
SHUM
SW
SMIG
SR
SZ
SIPRS
SI
SAARC
SPCE
SARS
SN
SYRIA
SANC
SL
SCRS
SC
SENVKGHG
SAN
SNARCS
SHI
SWE
SNARIZ
SIPDIS
SEN
SNARN
SPCVIS
SEVN
SSA
SH
SOFA
SK
ST
TPHY
TU
TRGY
TI
TX
TS
TW
TC
TFIN
TD
TSPA
TH
TT
TIP
TBIO
TSPL
TZ
TERRORISM
TRSY
TN
THPY
TINT
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TP
TURKEY
TNGD
TBID
TAGS
TR
UP
US
UNSC
UK
UZ
UE
UNESCO
UV
UNGA
UN
UNMIK
UNO
UY
UAE
UNEP
UG
UNHCR
UNHRC
USUN
UNAUS
USTR
USNC
USOAS
UNCHR
UNCSD
UNDP
USEU
USPS
UNDC
UNDESCO
UNCHC
UNFICYP
UNC
UNODC
UNPUOS
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCHS
UNVIE
USAID
UNIDROIT
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 05OTTAWA860, CANADIAN CONSERVATIVES HIT A DOUBLE AT CONVENTION
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #05OTTAWA860.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
05OTTAWA860 | 2005-03-22 21:09 | 2011-04-28 00:12 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Ottawa |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 OTTAWA 000860
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI CA
SUBJECT: CANADIAN CONSERVATIVES HIT A DOUBLE AT CONVENTION
REF: QUEBEC 00035
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Conservative Party of Canada held its
biennial convention in Montreal March 17 to 19. It was the
party's first policy and leadership review convention since
the merger of the Progressive Conservative and Canadian
Alliance parties in December 2003. On issues such as
abortion and same-sex marriage, the party portrayed a
reasonable balance between the staunch social conservative
wing that wants to stand firm on principle and let the
country move in its direction, and the more progressive
moderates who believe a centrist position is the party's
only hope of ever governing. The Conservatives also managed
a high-stakes issue that threatened to split the party
during the constitutional session, and leader Stephen Harper
passed his first leadership review with 84 percent approval.
The convention will likely provide a slight bounce in the
polls, but not the kind of breakthrough in urban Ontario and
Quebec that the Tories needs to win an election. The
Conservatives have now established a strong base camp, but
have a good deal of climbing ahead if they are to reach the
summit. END SUMMARY.
At Last, a Policy Book to Call Our Own
--------------------------------------
¶2. (SBU) Having never had a policy convention, the
Conservatives were at a disadvantage during the 2004
election. Their lack of a declared policy agenda allowed
the Liberals to contend that the Conservatives were masking
a "hidden agenda," particularly on issues such as same-sex
marriage and abortion. This convention was the first
opportunity the Conservatives have had to clearly spell out
the party's positions, while showing a united front between
the merged factions. By holding the convention in Montreal
and having French-speakers prominent, they also hoped to
make inroads in Quebec, and by having younger conservatives
at the podium, hoped to make gains in urban Ontario.
¶3. (SBU) The convention was held at the massive convention
center (Palais de Congres) with a large Canadian flag as the
wall centrepiece, and was a mix of caucuses, plenary
decision meetings, and well-funded social gatherings. The
2,900 delegates came in scruffy western attire, urban chic,
and bright yellow Harper t-shirts. Poloff, PolFSN, and
Montreal CG attended and met with dozens of delegates.
Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper made the keynote
address on March 18, and former Progressive Conservative
leader Brian Mulroney was prominently featured in the video
presentation that introduced the leader. Harper listed a
litany of "scandalous" conduct on the part of the governing
Liberals, from the ad-sponsorship scandal, the gun registry,
"strippergate" and others. Harper turned the refrain of
Prime Minister Martin's convention speech, "Promises Made,
Promises Kept" to a lengthy review of "Promises Made,
Promises Broken." Harper dismissed the Bloc Quebecois as a
political force, saying they were incapable of instituting
change, even if the stayed around for another 100 years.
¶4. (SBU) Media predictions that issues such as same-sex
marriage and abortion would never make the floor in a
tightly-scripted show were wrong - they did and were
vigorously debated, in what in the end was a mix of center
and rightist positions that accurately reflects the party's
dilemma of how far to stray from its roots to attract new
voters. The willingness to compromise on social values
comes from the sense that the party is finally moving in the
direction of actually being able to win an election, and not
just criticizing the governing Liberals. The party wants to
keep this momentum without losing its soul in the process.
It causes a good deal of creative tension that was evident
on the floor.
¶5. (SBU) One key measure, a pledge that the party would not
introduce new anti-abortion legislation, was passed by a
very close margin, and its success was greeted with loud
applause. On same-sex marriage, however, appeals from
moderate progressives such as Belinda Stronach that too
strong a position would alienate the party from mainstream
Canada were dismissed. The party voted 75-25 in favor of a
measure that affirmed the party's position that marriage is
between one man and one woman. The party also abandoned
populist resolutions for recall rules for Members of
Parliament, fixed-date elections and referendums on issues
of national importance, all pillars of the earlier Canadian
Alliance party. Other noteworthy resolutions called to
expand the Canadian Forces, cut taxes, repeal the federal
gun registry, address the fiscal imbalance, and make the
appointment of senior officials (Supreme Court, Auditor
General, Ethics Commissioner, etc.) an accountable process.
Though it was not a stand-alone policy resolution, Stephen
Harper also referred to missile defense in his keynote
address, stating that while the Conservatives would not sign
up for an agreement they have not seen, they would return to
the table on missile defense and other issues with the
United States.
Constitutional Conflict Overblown
---------------------------------
¶6. (SBU) One of the most contentious issues faced by the
party was a constitutional resolution forwarded by Ontario
MP Scott Reid that would have tied the delegate selection
process to the number of party members in a riding, allowing
ridings with more party members (predominantly in the former
Canadian Alliance West) to send more delegates. Deputy
leader Peter MacKay was livid over the idea, which he
maintained violated a founding principle of the merger of
the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservatives that all
ridings would be treated equally. He was concerned that the
move would alienate regions where the party was weak and
thus destroy any potential these ridings had to develop
through active participation. The issue was the highlight
of CBC's afternoon radio broadcast and the print media, and
it trumped Harper's keynote speech, even though all the
delegates we talked to insisted that the resolution was a
non-issue and bound to fail, which it did handily. The
coverage resulted in Conservative complaints of media bias.
Don't Trust Anybody Under 30
----------------------------
¶7. (SBU) The Conservatives were also narrowly split on
whether to create a youth wing along the lines of the former
Progressive Conservative Youth, or the current Young
Liberals of Canada. The confused process called for
delegates to vote for one of three options, and the status
quo (i.e. no youth wing) was selected. Status quo advocates
argued that if young people are interested, they will join
the party and participate as regular members, and not be
shunted off to a youth ghetto. Youth wing advocates argued
that the party needs to reach out to youth and provide a
forum where they can better develop their issues and have
their input valued. It does not appear that either side of
the debate is familiar with the Young Liberals of Canada,
who have a deep policy agenda, great enthusiasm and energy,
and demonstrated the highest level of organization of all
commissions at the recent Liberal Party Convention. Absent
a youth wing, the Conservative Party will minimal presence
on Canada's university campuses, and the party will not have
access to the same ready-made, energetic and organized
volunteers as the Liberals.
Stephen Harper at the Helm
--------------------------
¶8. (SBU) A key event was the referendum on Stephen Harper's
leadership. A small lobby handing out anti-Harper buttons
and pamphlets early in the convention appeared to have
little impact as Harper garnered an 84 percent approval
rate. One anti-Harper delegate tried to convince a group of
colleagues on their way to vote after Harper's Friday night
speech, but her argument amounted to "trust me, I know,"
something the delegates found amusing. In reality there was
no real alternative for a party trying to show unity and
strength to sticking up for Harper. To his credit, he has
done a fine job of strengthening the party and bringing the
various factions together. Many party members at the
Convention described his address Friday night as his best
performance to date, and Montreal CG, Poloff and PolFSN in
attendance saw a Harper who was secure and upbeat. In
English and French, both the delivery and the message were
fully on cue.
¶9. (SBU) As it did at the Liberal convention, the media felt
compelled to throw out names of possible Harper successors,
but had a more difficult time doing so as there was no
campaign, even behind the scenes, to develop an alternative
to Harper's leadership. Members of Parliament Peter MacKay
and Belinda Stronach were mentioned, as was Premier of New
Brunswick, Bernard Lord. The latter would appear to be the
most interesting. Two delegates told Poloff that as much as
they like Harper personally, until the party picks an
Easterner as leader, the center of gravity will remain stuck
in the West. This would keep the party unable to penetrate
essential ridings in voter-rich Ontario and Quebec.
Stronach is also someone to watch; her three interventions
on the floor (pro same-sex marriage, pro-US trade, and pro-
youth wing) were clearly meant to establish her as the
progressive, centrist alternative to the Western cul-de-sac,
even though in the House of Commons she appears to play
second fiddle to Alberta's Rona Ambrose.
Quebec - The "Show Me" Province
-------------------------------
¶10. (SBU) According the Conservative MPs Jason Kenny and Jay
Hill, the party selected Montreal as the location for its
convention to garner attention in Quebec, as well as,
indirectly, in southern, urban Ontario. Several young
Conservative delegates agreed that prior to the convention
there was simply no coverage of the party in Quebec media.
The Montreal venue would finally bring the party back into
the provincial line-of-sight. They also pointed out that it
was clear from his speech that Harper's ability in French is
rapidly improving. Reftel provides views from Quebec City
on how effective the party's outreach in the Province may
have been.
¶11. (SBU) COMMENT: Only time, and public opinion polls,
will tell if the Conservatives successfully managed the
opportunity to define their polices and address the negative
impressions the Liberals have thus far so successfully
exploited. They may have placed themselves on the radar in
Quebec, but appear to lack the potential for a breakthrough
they need to win an election. As was the case with the
Liberals, post-convention rhetoric is of high energy levels
and confidence to face the polls. It will take a federal
election campaign (now rumored for next spring), however, to
demonstrate whether they can take the foundation they built
at the convention and use it to build a credible alternative
to the Liberals. END COMMENT.