The 2003 Progressive Conservative leadership convention was held on May 31, 2003 to elect a leader or the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. Peter MacKay was elected as leader to replace former Prime Minister Joe Clark who had retired as party leader. In the end, five candidates emerged as challengers for the leadership by the convention date. Two other candidates had participated in the race but both resigned as contenstants before the vote. Quebec MP André Bachand withdrew his candidacy from the race due to financial concerns and backed Peter MacKay. Former Cabinet Minister and Quebec MP Heward Grafftey also withdrew his candidacy from the race due to health concerns and backed David Orchard.

The results of the race produced immediate controversy when it emerged that winner Mackay had signed an agreement with David Orchard in order to get elected. This deal promised the party would review the Canadian-American Free Trade Agreement, and that it would not cooperate or merge with the Canadian Alliance. This controversy continued when MacKay ignored the agreement, and signed an agreement to merge his party with the Canadian Alliance to form the new Conservative Party of Canada. The merger was approved by party members in December 2003.

Candidates

• Peter MacKay - Member of Parliament (winner 64.4% on final ballot)
• Jim Prentice - Calgary lawyer (35.6% on final ballot)
• David Orchard - Saskatchewan farmer
• Scott Brison - Member of Parliament
• Craig Chandler - CEO of Progressive Group for Independent Business

Dropped out

• André Bachand - Member of Parliament - Backed MacKay
• Heward Grafftey - former Science and Social Programs Minister - Backed Orchard

Ballot Results

First Ballot

• MACKAY, Peter Gordon 1,080 (41.08%)
• ORCHARD, David 640 (24.34%)
• PRENTICE, Jim 478 (18.18%)
• BRISON, Scott 431 (16.39%)
• CHANDLER, Craig 0 (0%)*

Total ballots cast 2,629.

Chandler withdrew before voting began to endorse Prentice.

Second Ballot

• MACKAY, Peter Gordon 1,018 (39.67%)
• ORCHARD, David 619 (24.12%)
• PRENTICE, Jim 466 (18.16%)
• BRISON, Scott 463 (18.04%)

Total ballots cast 2,566.

Brison drops off and supports Prentice. Ironically, Brison was the only candidate to gain votes on this ballot compared to his first ballot result; all of the other candidates lost votes.

Third Ballot

• MACKAY, Peter Gordon 1,128 (45.01%)
• PRENTICE, Jim 761 (30.37%)
• ORCHARD, David 617 (24.62%)

Total ballots cast 2,506.

Orchard throws his support to MacKay after the two men sign an agreement committing MacKay to not merge the PCs with the Canadian Alliance, and to hold a review of the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.

Fourth Ballot

• MACKAY, Peter Gordon 1,538 (64.79%)
• PRENTICE, Jim 836 (35.21%)

Total ballots cast 2,374.

See also

• Progressive Conservative leadership conventions