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Video Archive

Your all-access pass to the people and events shaping Canada’s democracy

2003 Progressive Conservative Leadership

In choosing Joe Clark's successor, Tories had to consider if the time had come to cooperate with the Stephen Harper-led Canadian Alliance. The subsequent final-ballot push between Peter MacKay and Jim Prentice produced one of the most infamous convention deals in Canadian history.
1998 Progressive Conservative Leadership

Jean Charest’s departure for Quebec politics created an opening to head the fifth party in the House of Commons.
1995 Progressive Conservative Leadership

The party’s catastrophic election performance led to Campbell’s resignation in December 1993. Jean Charest, one of two Tory MPs left in the House of Commons, became interim leader one day later at the party executive's request.
1983 Progressive Conservative Leadership

More than two-thirds of Tories at a January 1983 convention voted against reviewing Joe Clark’s leadership. The former prime minister still wanted a fresh mandate from the party, and resigned to run for his job anew.
1976 Progressive Conservative Leadership

Robert Stanfield’s retirement after three election defeats led to another multi-ballot convention.
1956 Progressive Conservative Leadership

Battling illness, George Drew resigned in the fall. The stage was set for two of his former opponents to seek the leadership.
1948 Progressive Conservative Convention

John Bracken’s retirement from the leadership led to the party’s third vote in 10 years.
1942 Conservative Convention

Arthur Meighen returned as leader in 1941 following Robert Manion’s resignation the previous year, but planned to retire. A convention was announced in late-September to consider “the whole subject of leadership and policy.”
1938 Conservative Convention

R.B. Bennett retired as Conservative leader in March, citing a serious heart condition. He moved to England and eventually sat in the House of Lords.
1927 Conservative Convention

Arthur Meighen had resigned the leadership after the Liberals won a majority government in 1926 following the “King-Byng” affair.
1993 Progressive Conservative Leadership

Brian Mulroney’s February resignation meant his replacement would not just be the new prime minister, but also contest an election at some point in 1993.