The leader will be selected by a system where each riding gets 100 points. A candidate needs to majority of the points to win the leadership and voting will be by preferential ballot. In each round of voting the lowest rank candidate will be dropped and the votes will go to the second choice of those that voted for them. This will continue until one cadidate has a majority of the votes.

Stephen Harper is currently viewed as a front runner. The former leader of the Canadian Alliance has strong financial backing, caucus support, and lock on most western supporters.

Table of contents

1 Candidates 2 Dropped out 3 Announced they would not run 4 Timeline 5 January, 2004 6 December, 2003

Candidates

• Tony Clement - former Ontario health minister
• Stephen Harper - Canadian Alliance Leader
• Belinda Stronach - former CEO of Magna International

• Jim Prentice - Progressive Conservative Party 2003 leadership race runner-up

• Scott Brison - Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament (has since defected to the Liberals)
• Mike Harris - former Premier of Ontario
• Ralph Klein - Premier of Alberta
• Bernard Lord - Premier of New Brunswick
• Peter MacKay - Progressive Conservative Party Leader
• Brian Pallister - Canadian Alliance Member of Parliament
• Bob Runciman - former Ontario public security minister
• Larry Smith - Publisher of the Montreal Gazette
• Chuck Strahl - Canadian Alliance Member of Parliament

• January 20 - Belinda Stronach formally announces the launch of her campaign to seek the Conservative leadership. She rounds out the field at three; no other serious contenders are now seen as planning an entry.
• January 16 - Fraser Valley MP Chuck Strahl annouces he will not seek the Conservative leadership, citing financial barriers.
• January 15 - Auto parts magnate Belinda Stronach and former Ontario Health Minister Tony Clement both announce their intention to run for leadership of the Conservative Party.
• January 13 - Peter MacKay declares he will not enter the race to lead the new Conservative Party of Canada.
• January 12 - Stephen Harper announces his entry into the race to lead the new Conservative Party of Canada. Earlier today, Jim Prentice drops out of the leadership contest, citing a lack of funds.