March 20, 2002
Telus Convention Centre - Calgary
Several MPs had left the Alliance caucus in 2001 to form a “Democratic Representative Caucus” in opposition to Stockwell Day’s leadership. Day stepped down that summer and called for a fresh leadership race.
THE CONTENDERS
Three men and women joined the race to challenge Day, who was last to officially announce his candidacy after stepping down in December 2001.
Stephen Harper was a former Reform MP and Manning advisor who headed the National Citizens Coalition until resigning to run.
Harper ruled out cooperating with a Joe Clark-led party and vowed to prevent religious issues from dominating the party.
Diane Ablonczy, MP for Calgary--Nose Hill, entered the race in December 2001 as an advocate of merging with the Progressive Conservatives.
Grant Hill, a doctor and Macleod, Alta. MP who served as Day’s deputy leader, also sought an agreement with the Tories, whether through a new party or candidate cooperation.
THE VOTE
Harper only needed only one round using the Canadian Alliance's one member, one vote system to win the leadership. He would win a Calgary by-election to gain entry to the House of Commons as opposition leader.
