By Canadian Press

Tory leadership race causes awkward schism in key veteran constituency

Jul 29, 2020 | 1:31 PM

OTTAWA — The Conservative leadership race is causing tension among soldiers and veterans, a key constituency for the party, as two of the four candidates have direct ties to the military.

That’s left veterans facing a hard choice: vote for Erin O’Toole, who served in the air force and as veterans affairs minister, or Peter MacKay, who spent nearly six years holding the defence portfolio.

Tim Laidler, a veteran supporting O’Toole, says he’s doing so because he believes O’Toole is more familiar with the ins-and-outs of military life, and because of the work O’Toole did prior to his political life in support of veterans.

Kimberly Fawcett Smith, a soldier supporting MacKay, says she’s backing him because of his broader experience on the file and how he’s handled himself in this race.

But both say the choice for current and former military members has to come down to who they think is best positioned to beat the Liberals come the next election.

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Conservative party members are now voting for a new leader by mail and a winner will be announced in late August.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2020.

The Canadian Press