2023 Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election

The 2023 Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election was held between October 13–15, 2023 to select a successor to Ches Crosbie, who stepped down following his defeat in the 2021 Newfoundland and Labrador general election.^[1] Candidate nominations opened May 17, 2023, and closed June 16, 2023. On October 14, 2023, MHA Tony Wakeham was narrowly elected leader on the second ballot.^[2]

2023 Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election

Date	October 13–15, 2023
Convention	Sheraton Hotel St. John's, NL
Resigning leader	Ches Crosbie
Won by	Tony Wakeham
Ballots	2
Candidates	3
Entrance Fee	$20,000
Spending limit	$225,000
Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership elections 2011 · 2014 · 2018 · Next

Timeline

• March 27, 2021 – The preliminary results of the provincial election are announced, where Premier Andrew Furey is re-elected with a slim majority.^[3] Ches Crosbie, the party's leader, loses his seat in Windsor Lake to Liberal candidate John Hogan.^[4]
• March 31, 2021 – After taking a few days to speak with the party caucus and his family, Crosbie announces his resignation as party leader. David Brazil is appointed as the interim leader, who believed it would take "a year or two" before a leadership convention would be held.^[1]
• April 5, 2021 – Party president Eugene Manning resigns, citing that he would have to be impartial in a future leadership election. He is succeeded by vice president Matthew Janes as interim president.^[5][6]
• August 19, 2021 – The party releases the rules for the leadership campaign without setting a formal date.^[7]
• August 19, 2021 – Former mayor of Howley and disqualified 2014 leadership candidate Wayne Ronald Bennett declares his candidacy.^[8]
• June 24, 2022 – Leadership Committee co-chairs Shawn Skinner and Rhonda McMeekin announced that the party will hold its leadership convention on October 13–15, 2023 at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John’s. Candidate nominations will open May 17, 2023, and close June 16, 2023. The new leader will be announced on October 14, 2023.^[9]
• July 4, 2022 – MHA Lloyd Parrott announces his candidacy.^[10]
• January 16, 2023 – Interim leader David Brazil announces he will not be a candidate for the permanent leadership.^[11]
• January 17, 2023 – MHA Tony Wakeham announces his candidacy.^[12]
• February 21, 2023 – Businessman and former PC Party president Eugene Manning announces his candidacy.^[13]
• May 17, 2023 – Eugene Manning announces he has been approved by the party as an accredited candidate.
• May 19, 2023 – Tony Wakeham announces he has been approved by the party as an accredited candidate.
• June 16, 2023 – The Party Executive announces that Eugene Manning, Lloyd Parrott, and Tony Wakeham have been approved as accredited candidates.^[14]
• September 24, 2023 – Televised Debate hosted by NTV News. Eugene Manning, Lloyd Parrott, and Tony Wakeham participated.
• October 14, 2023 - MHA Tony Wakeham was elected leader on the second ballot.

Candidates approved by the party as accredited candidates

Eugene Manning

Businessman and former PC Party president

Date campaign launched: February 21, 2023

Candidate Accreditation: May 17, 2023

Campaign Website: www.eugenemanning.ca

Supporters

Former Party Leaders:

MHAs: Helen Conway-Ottenheimer, MHA for Harbour Main; Paul Dinn, MHA for Topsail-Paradise

Prominent Supporters: Sue Collins, 2019 and 2021 candidate for Fogo Island-Cape Freels; Devin Drover, former Crosbie staffer and 2022 Poilievre campaign chair for NL; Kristina Ennis, 2021 candidate for St. John's West; Janet Fryday Dorey, Former Executive Director of the Conservative Party of Canada; Judy Manning, NL Minister of Justice (2014-2015); Fabian Manning, NL Senator; John Ottenheimer, MHA for St. John's East (1996-2007); Gillian Pearson, 2019 candidate for Mount Pearl-Southlands; Charlene Walsh, 2019 and 2021 candidate for Fortune Bay-Cape La Hune.

Lloyd Parrott

MHA for Terra Nova (2019–present), Clarenville town councillor (2017–2019).

Date campaign launched: July 4, 2022;^[10] Official launch: April 18, 2023^[15]

Candidate Accreditation: June 16, 2023

Supporters

MHAs: Chris Tibbs, MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans

Tony Wakeham

MHA for Stephenville-Port au Port (2019–present). Wakeham was a 2018 PC leadership candidate.^[12] He is the former CEO of Labrador-Grenfell Health. He also worked in senior health management roles in St. John's, Clarenville and Grand Falls-Windsor. Wakeham grew up in Placentia and studied economics at Memorial University. Wakeham, lives in Kippens, and also has deep roots in the sport of basketball, both as a player and coach at the provincial and federal levels. Wakeham previously served as President of the NLBA and Canada Basketball.^[16] He and his wife Patricia have two adult children.^[17]

Date campaign launched: January 17, 2023

Candidate Accreditation: May 19, 2023

Campaign Website: www.tonywakeham.ca

Supporters

Former Party Leaders: Len Simms, PC Leader (1991-1995);^[18] Tom Marshall, 11th Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador (2014).^[19]

MHAs: Pleaman Forsey, MHA for Exploits; Loyola O'Driscoll, MHA for Ferryland;^[20] Craig Pardy, MHA for Bonavista; Barry Petten, MHA for Conception Bay South; Joedy Wall, MHA for Cape St. Francis.^[12]

Former MHAs: Jim Baker, MHA for Labrador West (2007-2011);^[21] Clyde Jackman, MHA for Burin-Placentia West (2003-2015);^[21] Glenn Tobin, MHA for Burin-Placentia West (1982-1996);^[21] Loyola Sullivan, MHA for Ferryland (1992-2006);^[22] Kevin Parsons, MHA for Cape St. Francis (2008-2021);^[23] Wallace "Wally" Young, MHA for St. Barbe (2001-2011).^[24]

Former MPs: Bill Matthews, MP for Random—Burin—St. George's (1997-2008).^[21]

Prominent Supporters: Leo Bonnell, Former Chairperson Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors;^[25] Hal Cormier, Pasadena Municipal Councillor; Damian Follett, musician, 2021 candidate for Mount Scio;^[26] Tony Oliver, former vice-president of the provincial party; Katarina Roxon, Canadian Paralympic Swimmer;^[27] Nathan Ryan, PC Youth President (2020-2022), Ferryland Municipal Councillor; Paul Thomey, former President of the St. John's Board of Trade; Shannon Tobin, 2019 and 2021 candidate for Lake Melville.

Opinion polling

Leader preference among PC supporters

Polling Firm	Date of Polling	Link	Tony Wakeham	Eugene Manning	Lloyd Parrott	Don't Know
Abacus Data	September 19–25, 2023		29%	16%	7%	48%

Failed to qualify

Wayne Ronald Bennett

Former Mayor of Howley, former leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador First Party (2008–2011), perennial candidate^{[28][29][30][31]}

Date campaign launched: October 3, 2021^[8]

Failed to qualify: June 16, 2023

Declined to run

• David Brazil, Interim leader of the Progressive Conservative Party (2021–2023), MHA for Conception Bay East–Bell Island (2010–2023)^[32][11]
• Danny Breen, Mayor of St. John's (2017–present), former St. John's city councillor (2009–2017)^[33]
• Barry Petten, MHA for Conception Bay South (2015–present)^[34] Endorsed Wakeham
• Shawn Skinner, former St. John's city councillor (1993–1997; 2020–2021), MHA for St. John's Centre (2003–2011)^[35][8]

Results

(Voting Held October 4–14, 2023) ^[36]

  = Eliminated from next round

  = Winner

Point allocation by ballot

Candidate	Ballot 1	Ballot 2
Name	Votes	Votes
Tony Wakeham	1,816 45.4%	2,091 52.0%
Eugene Manning	1,636 40.9%	1,909 48.0%
Lloyd Parrott	548 13.7%	Eliminated
Total Points	4,000.00	4,000.00

References

1. Mullin, Malone (March 31, 2021). "PC Leader Ches Crosbie stepping down as head of party". CBC News. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
2. "Tony Wakeham wins PC leadership, setting stage for next election". CBC News. October 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
3. Mullin, Malone (March 27, 2021). "Liberals claim slim majority in Newfoundland and Labrador, as voters tap Furey to lead". CBC News. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
4. Kennedy, Alex (March 30, 2021). "'We pulled it off': Meet the candidates who took down the opposition leaders". CBC News. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
5. "PC Party president steps down, hints at bid for leadership". CBC News. April 5, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
6. "Eugene Manning, Newfoundland PC party president, resigns". SaltWire Network. April 6, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
7. @MikeConnors (August 19, 2021). "The NL PC Party has released the rules for its leadership election, which it says will happen before the next general election" (Tweet). Retrieved August 19, 2019 – via Twitter.
8. "Potential PC leadership candidates remain non-committal as party focuses on health care". NTV News. October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
9. "Newfoundland and Labrador PC Party to host leadership convention in October 2023". SaltWire Network. June 24, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
10. Roberts, Terry (July 5, 2022). "Lloyd Parrott, first to enter race to guide the PC Party, says 'now is the time to lead'". CBC News. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
11. Roberts, Darrell. "David Brazil won't run for permanent PC leadership". CBC News. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
12. Moore, Mike (January 17, 2023). "MHA Tony Wakeham makes bid for PC Party's leadership". CBC News. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
13. Singer, Jessica (February 21, 2023). "Former N.L. PC Party President Eugene Manning enters Progressive Conservative leadership race". CBC News. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
14. "3-way race for PC leadership, as nominations close". CBC News. June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
15. "Lloyd Parrott holds formal launch for PC leadership campaign in Clarenville". NTV News. April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
16. "House of Assembly - NL - Tony Wakeham". www.assembly.nl.ca. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
17. "Tony Wakeham launches PC leadership quest with promises of new ideas, rebuilding confidence in party". CBC News. December 5, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
18. @MikeConnors (March 31, 2023). "Tony Wakeham's leadership campaign says Wakeham has been endorsed by former PC leader Len Simms. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved June 21, 2023 – via Twitter.
19. @TonyWakehamNL (June 12, 2023). "Very proud to have the support of my friend, and the 11th Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Hon. Tom Marshall. Tom's dedication to our province is commendable. His love for the people of Corner Brook and our great province is exceptional. I'm grateful to have his insight on #TeamTony" (Tweet). Retrieved June 21, 2023 – via Twitter.
20. @TonyWakehamNL (May 30, 2023). "Loyola O'Driscoll is a strong voice for the residents in the District of Ferryland. His exceptional team building capabilities and drive to see our province succeed are invaluable assets to our party and our team. I'm proud to call him my friend. Join me as we welcome MHA @LoyolaOD to #TeamTony!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 21, 2023 – via Twitter.
21. @TonyWakehamNL (May 17, 2023). "While on the Burin Peninsula, it was great to catch up with former MHAs Bill Matthews, Jim Baker, Clyde Jackman, and Glenn Tobin. I'm glad to have their advice and support as I seek the PC Leadership. Thank you for being valued members of #TeamTony! Join us as we work together to make health care more accessible and the cost of living more affordable in our province" (Tweet). Retrieved June 21, 2023 – via Twitter.
22. @TonyWakehamNL (May 31, 2023). "During his 15 years in office serving the fine people of Ferryland district, @LoyolaSullivan served as the Minister of Finance playing a pivotal role in shaping our province's economic future during a crucial time in our history. He also played a crucial role in negotiating the new Atlantic Accord on offshore oil revenues with the federal government. Loyola understands the significance of having a leader who can establish connections with grassroots members and new members, enabling us to be united, paving the way for a more prosperous future for our province. I'm glad to have Loyola Sullivan on my team. Thank you for your advice and friendship. Let's get to work!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 21, 2023 – via Twitter.
23. @TonyWakehamNL (June 6, 2023). "Last week, I had the opportunity to visit my friend Kevin Parsons who served the great people of Cape St. Francis for 13 years in the House of Assembly. His roots run deep in the district and he knows firsthand what needs to be done to get our province back on track. He also knows that having a leader with the ability to rally the party around a common united vision will ensure a prosperous future for our beloved province. Thank you my friend, for your support" (Tweet). Retrieved June 21, 2023 – via Twitter.
24. @TonyWakehamNL (June 13, 2023). "Wally Young served the fine folks on the Great Northern Peninsula for 10 years in the House of Assembly. It was great to visit Wally in his hometown of Plum Point recently to discuss how we can do more as a province to help small business owners in the hospitality industry and to find ways to address some of the challenges facing the residents of the area such as health care accessibility and economic growth. Thank you for your warm hospitality, friendship, and support in the upcoming leadership race" (Tweet). Retrieved June 21, 2023 – via Twitter.
25. @TonyWakehamNL (April 18, 2023). "As a community leader and advocate for seniors, Leo Bonnell recognizes the challenges that seniors in our province face. I'm proud to have Leo on our team. Join us, so we can make REAL change for seniors" (Tweet). Retrieved June 21, 2023 – via Twitter.
26. "Teamwork and collaboration is not only important when around the caucus table, in the House of Assembly, or doing work in our districts. The power of... | By Tony Wakeham, MHA, Stephenville-Port au Port | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
27. "As a Canadian Paralympic Champion, Katarina Roxon is a role model to many aspiring athletes both in and out of the pool. Raised in Kippens, Katarina is... | By Tony Wakeham, MHA, Stephenville-Port au Port | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
28. "Wayne Bennett says he's ready to lead Conservatives". The Western Star. Archived from the original on March 14, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
29. "Wayne Bennett's tweets about Muslims threaten leadership bid". CBC News. March 29, 2014.
30. "Wayne Bennett bounced from PC leadership race". CBC News. April 3, 2014.
31. "Rejected by NDP, Howley mayor threatens legal action". CBC News. March 5, 2018.
32. Roberts, Darrell (June 24, 2022). "The PC Party has a date for its leadership race — and interim Leader David Brazil now says he might run". CBC News. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
33. "Mayor Danny Breen Not Ruling Out Run For Tories' Top Job". VOCM. July 7, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
34. @MikeConnors (March 31, 2021). "David Brazil says he will not run for the PC leadership. Barry Petten doesn't rule it out but says he has no intention right now" (Tweet). Retrieved August 19, 2019 – via Twitter.
35. Sweet, Barb; Crocker, Diane (March 31, 2021). "After Ches Crosbie quits, PCs in Newfoundland and Labrador say leadership aspirations can wait". SaltWire. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
36. "Wakeham Claims PC Party Leadership With Second-Ballot Victory". VOCM News. October 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2023.