November 14, 1998
Ottawa
Jean Charest’s departure for Quebec politics created an opening to head the fifth party in the House of Commons.
THE CONTENDERS
Joe Clark, out of politics since 1993, returned to seek the leadership once again. He first publicly broached the idea in late April before making it official in late June.
Clark promised to compete with Reform as a truly national alternative to the Liberals.
Hugh Segal, a longtime aide and strategist, entered the race in June as a traditional "Red Tory."
Saskatchewan farmer David Orchard, an anti-free trade advocate and newcomer to the party, signed up thousands of new members. This led to to concerns he would overwhelm the voting process.
Manitoba MP Brian Pallister and Montreal lawyer Michael Fortier, who promised a five-point "Pact of Governance," rounded out the ballot.
THE CONVENTION
There was no traditional delegated convention this time. Instead, the party shifted to a points-based system that assigned 100 points to each of Canada's 301 federal ridings.
Candidates gathered in Toronto on Oct. 23 to give speeches. Clark pointed to his experience in politics and public life. Segal said nostalgia was not enough to rebuild the party. Pallister and Fortier sought to appeal to small-c conservatives who had defected to Reform.And Orchard reiterated his free-trade opposition.
THE VOTE
First-ballot voting began across Canada on Oct. 24. The winner would required 15,051 points.
More than 90,000 voters were eligible, but only 53 per cent voted on the first ballot, according to reports.
When Clark just missed a clear victory, the second preferential ballot was scheduled for mid-November. Fortier was eliminated and called for others to concede the race. Pallister also bowed out.
Segal withdrew and endorsed Clark. But Orchard refused to end his campaign after finishing third.
In the meantime, Clark faced pressure to join the "unite the right" movement planning a United Alternative convention.
Clark, 59, won a convincing plurality on the second ballot to become party leader for the second time.
