‘John speaks French, he’s smart, political and didn’t get into any trouble as a minister. He knows how to run government … What else do we want?’
John Baird has not said no. Political allies trying to convince the former minister to enter the Conservative leadership race say he is leaning against a bid but can’t bring himself to close the door.When Peter MacKay handed in the $300,000 entry fee and 3,000 signatures of support nearly two months ahead of the party’s deadline, he painted a giant target on his back.
Even though he hails from Ontario, Baird, 50, fits that bill. “The base loves John Baird because they’re red-meat Conservatives, just like him,” said one respected voice in the party. That view may be unfair but it is undeniably out there – and it is why Baird is fielding plenty of calls from sympathizers who don’t feel they have a horse in the race.
“John speaks French, he’s smart, political and didn’t get into any trouble as a minister. He knows how to run government and political parties. What else do we want?” asked one unaligned Conservative, who pointed out that Baird stood up for Western interests when he held the environment and transport portfolios.
He has made a lucrative transition into the private sector, taking board positions at Canadian Pacific Railway and Barrick Gold, among other roles.Baird’s appearance on Saudi television in 2018 – a country where Barrick has significant mining interests – raised eyebrows, after he criticized the Liberal government’s call for the release of political prisoners and urged Justin Trudeau to apologize to the Saudi royal family.
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