CORNWALL, Ontario – On the morning of Friday, Dec. 23, businessman a Kevin O’Leary launched a website listing members of his exploratory committee. The committee will help O’Leary test the waters and decide if now is the time for him to declare his bid for the Conservative Party leadership.
Named members of his committee include former Ontario Premier Mike Harris and Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry MP Guy Lauzon.
Lauzon has represented SD&G in Parliament as a member of the Conservative Party since 2004.
Guy Lauzon’s bio on Kevin O’Leary’s website, which is olearyforcanada.ca, highlights his seven years of experience as head of the National Conservative Caucus and his close work with former Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“I am delighted to be helping out on Mr. O’Leary’s exploratory committee," said Lauzon in an emailed statement to Seaway News. "We all recognize that the most important issue for Canadians is the economy, and I believe Kevin offers a unique perspective. I look forward to speaking with my fellow Conservatives from coast to coast to coast to gauge their support for Kevin and lay out a potential path to victory. As Mr. O’Leary has yet to decide if he will or will not be entering the race for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada there is nothing more I can discuss at this point in time.”
The exploratory committee will advise O’Leary of its findings early in 2017.
The next Conservative Leadership debate is on Jan. 17 in Quebec City. The debate will be entirely in French and seeing as O’Leary is not billingual, he may hold off until after the debate to through his hat into the ring.
Currently there are 14 candidates in the race for the Conservative Party of Canada leadership.
Candidates for the leadership have until Feb. 24 to register.
