Ontario voters divided on Brown's entry into PC leadership race: poll

[Murphy]

I don't know how accurate a poll with only 949 respondents can be, but here it is. The NDP and Liberals haven't really started campaigning yet. The accusations against Brown will be used by other parties when the election ramps up.

Considering Wynne's record, and the number of people who wanted her out before Brown's scandal broke, this isn't a good poll for the PCs. But, it's a few weeks early.

Ontario voters divided on Brown's entry into PC leadership race: poll
Codi Wilson, CP24.com, February 19, 2018 6:58AM EST

It appears Ontario voters are split on whether they believe former PC leader Patrick Brown should have entered the race for the party’s leadership, according to a new poll.

The Forum Research poll, which randomly surveyed 949 Ontario voters, found that 38 per cent of respondents agreed with his decision, while 39 per cent said they did not agree. About 22 per cent of those surveyed said they did not know if it was the right call.

Brown resigned late last month after CTV News published allegations of sexual misconduct against him from two women.

Brown, who has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, announced last week that he would be joining the leadership race in an attempt to reclaim his old job.

None of the allegations made against Brown have been tested in court.

Other candidates vying for the party’s leadership include Caroline Mulroney, Christine Elliott, Doug Ford, and Tanya Granic Allen.

The poll, which was conducted on Feb. 16 and 17, suggests that about half of those surveyed said they would support the PCs if an election were held today, which marks an increase of eight point since the last poll was conducted on Jan. 25.

The rest here.

https://www.cp24.com/news/ontario-v...-entry-into-pc-leadership-race-poll-1.3809169

 

[mentalfloss]

It's too early to tell if there will be any political fallout from this, but there are some stories going around about how the PC party is going through some infighting over the fact that Brown decided to re-enter. It's taken the focus off of the other candidates which makes it more difficult for them get exposure for their own platform promises.

 

[Murphy]

That is part of the reason why they did not want Brown to run. It has only been three days, but there is a feeling among some PCs that Brown cares more about himself than the party he purports to serve.

You will see the knives come out in earnest this week. Hillier has already started.

Expect more after the holiday.

----
The inflated numbers are his attempt to claim that he brough new people into the party. Wynne drove more people to the PCs than Brown brought. Politics as usual.

In a few days, it really is beginning to look more like his ego driving him than the PC platform, or ousting Wynne.

Patrick Brown Now Challenged On Membership Numbers After Misconduct Claims
He held his first event since announcing he was running to get his old job back.
- Maija Kappler, Canadian Press

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — The former leader of Ontario's Progressive Conservatives said Sunday he helped grow the party to unprecedented levels, so he should be the one to lead it into the upcoming election.

Patrick Brown stepped down from his position late last month amid sexual misconduct allegations, which he has repeatedly and categorically denied. On Friday, Brown officially entered the race for his old job.​

But beyond the allegations that forced Brown from the party helm, the number of card-carrying Tories the politician offered up is also in contention.

Interim leader Vic Fedeli said in an email to caucus earlier this month that the party has roughly 67,000 fewer members than the 200,000 Brown claimed in early January.

Speaking to a room full of enthusiastic supporters at his official campaign launch in Mississauga, Ont., Brown said in response to reporters that the specific numbers aren't what matters.

"Our membership has gone from 12,000, and whether it's 145,000 or 180,000 or 200,000, it's still the largest we have ever been. Members expire every month, so the number does change,'' he said.

Moments later on Twitter, a Tory member of provincial parliament attacked Brown on the membership numbers.

Patrick Brown Now Challenged On Membership Numbers After Misconduct Claims

 

[Curious Cdn]

How the hell did he ever get to lead the party in the first place?

The Russians put him there?

 

[Murphy]

It was a moment of weakness. Hudak's promise to cut 100,000 public service jobs cost the PCs the election. PCs were on the rebound, looking for someone they could trust.

 

[Curious Cdn]

It was a moment of weakness. Hudak's promise to cut 100,000 public service jobs cost the PCs the election. PCs were on the rebound, looking for someone they could trust.

I was driving up Yonge St. in Richmond Hill when I heard that pronouncement and I distinctly remember saying "Oh, fu¢k!". Either, his handlers were gormless or he was a loose cannon, out of control and therefore not leadership material (see current POTUS).

 

[Murphy]

It didn't take long for the knives to come out.

Former Ontario Tory leader Patrick Brown discussed $375,000 deal with future PC candidate
Chris Young - THE CANADIAN PRESS

Former Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown was in talks to sell an interest in a restaurant he partially owns and some Aeroplan miles for $375,000 to a man who went on to become a Tory candidate, documents show.

An affidavit detailing a deal was sworn five months before Jass Johal was acclaimed as the candidate for the PC Party in a new riding in the suburban 905 region around Toronto. According to a copy of the affidavit shown to The Globe and Mail, Mr. Johal, a paralegal who lives in Brampton, says he agrees to purchase two million Aeroplan miles and an ownership interest in Hooligans restaurant from Mr. Brown for $375,000. "The amount is paid by certified draft from Bank of Nova Scotia," says the affidavit dated June 11, 2016 and signed by Mr. Johal.

Opinion: Patrick Brown shows it's all about him, no matter the collateral damage to Ontario PCs

The rest here.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/new...eal-with-future-pc-candidate/article38026035/

Adam: Patrick Brown was accused in public. He has a right to defend himself in public
Mohammed Adam - February 20, 2018 Ottawa Citzen

How could you, Patrick? How could you do this to your own party?

That basically sums up the reaction of Ontario Progressive Conservative party leaders after the dramatic announcement last Friday that the disgraced former party leader had decided to jump into the race for the very job he was ran out of only weeks ago. (As of this writing it was not yet known if his candidacy would be accepted).

Many believe that Brown’s entry in the race amidst sexual abuse allegations could tear the party apart and further damage its electoral prospects. And this from the very people who had no qualms abandoning him moments after a pair of women accused him of sexual misconduct – which he denies.

Leadership candidates Caroline Mulroney and Doug Ford suggested the party is better without him. To drive home the point, interim leader Vic Fedeli expelled his former leader from the Conservative caucus.

“Patrick Brown made the right decision to step down. A leadership election is not the place for him to clear his name,” Mulroney said.

The rest here.

Patrick Brown was accused in public. He can defend himself in public | Ottawa Citizen

 

[Murphy]

Will Brown survive the knife throwing?
---

Patrick Brown claims insiders trying to derail his bid to reclaim top Ontario Tory job
By Shawn Jeffords The Canadian Press

TORONTO – The former leader of Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives warned Tuesday that accounts questioning his integrity are likely to emerge in the coming weeks, claiming a small group of insiders is trying to derail his efforts to reclaim his old job ahead of a spring election.

Patrick Brown, who stepped down last month amid sexual misconduct allegations before being booted from Tory caucus, has been fending off accusations of mismanagement and corruption during his time as leader.

The 39-year-old Barrie, Ont., politician accused unnamed insiders of attempting to stop the party from moving forward — comments he made in a Facebook post that came shortly after the party’s interim leader voiced his lack of confidence in Brown as a candidate.

The rest here.

https://globalnews.ca/news/4035684/vic-fedeli-patrick-brown-ontario-pc-party/

 

[Johnnny]

It makes for a lot of good drama to watch and the Liberals must be "Hands in the air, hooting and hollering having quite the time" as we speak because of the drama.

It does seem like he was a victim of a hit but at the same time the stage was set quick enough that it didnt matter if he made a come back or not.

 

[Murphy]

At this stage, given the amount of bad press he's generated, the best thing he could do for himself and the PCs is to walk away from the leadership race and get his lawsuit against CTV settled.

Want to bet his ego won't let him do the honourable thing?

 

[Hoid]

His name has been cleared because the girl was 18 instead of 17.

Because assaulting an 18 year old is ok.

 

[Murphy]

Shush, Flossy. Troll on the other thread. Off you go!

The accusations are increasing. This is the sort of thing that I would expect to see during the election. Things one party would say about another, or the leader of the other party. Unless they contain this quickly, the PCs will be sunk...again.

New twist in PC civil war as Hillier accuses Patrick Brown of ‘crooked’ politics, calls for investigation

MPP Randy Hillier, who supports former MPP Christine Elliott in the race to lead the PCs in the June provincial election, said he’ll file a complaint with Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner.

By Rob Ferguson - Queen's Park Bureau

The civil war in the Progressive Conservative party took a new twist Tuesday as MPP Randy Hillier called for an investigation of ousted leader — and new leadership candidate — Patrick Brown.

Hillier, who is supporting former MPP Christine Elliott in the March 10 race to lead the PCs in the June provincial election, said he will file a complaint Monday afternoon with Ontario’s integrity commissioner.

"Patrick Brown has been engaged in dirty and crooked politics for too long in this province and people have now found some substantial, significant evidence,” Hillier alleged outside the legislative chamber Tuesday. (Pic)

There are questions about Brown’s personal finances, bogus party memberships, internal party finances and candidate nomination meetings where ballot boxes are alleged to have been stuffed during Brown’s term as leader, beginning in May 2015, Hillier told reporters as the Legislature returned from its winter break.

“Patrick Brown has been engaged in dirty and crooked politics for too long in this province and people have now found some substantial, significant evidence,” Hillier alleged outside the legislative chamber, where he is not protected by parliamentary privilege.

“Mr. Patrick Brown has violated the Members Integrity Act of Ontario. He will have to answer for that complaint,” Hillier added.

“I’ve known Patrick Brown to lie just about every time he opens his mouth.

“We’re bringing it to the proper agencies to have it fully investigated and that due process is completed.”

In one example, Hillier cited a story from the Globe and Mail stating that Brown was once in negotiations to sell a stake in Hooligans, a Barrie restaurant and sports bar of which he owns 9.9 per cent, and Aeroplan miles for $375,000 to a man later acclaimed as the PC candidate in Brampton North.

The rest here.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada...calls-for-investigation-of-patrick-brown.html

Caucus will be burning the midnight oil, looking for a solution to this problem with Brown's bad press.

 

[Danbones]

His name has been cleared because the girl was 18 instead of 17.

Because assaulting an 18 year old is ok.

Yes of course, and lyin to destroy someone for a political agenda is so hoid, MF, and avro, it's insane. I have listened to the CBC on the subject, and I have seldom seen such insane snowflake BS fake news leftist propaganda drivel even on TV.

According to some, BROWN is guilty because he is defending himself. How commienaziglobalist can you get.

If he survives this, like trump is surviving the same style of nutbar BS, then he might make a decent premier who knows who the real enemies of democracy in our system actually are..

 

[Murphy]

Flossy doesn't know anything about politics. He trolls because that's the only way he can interact with others. He has issues.

No toll for the troll.

 

[WLDB]

At least it’s entertaining

 

[Murphy]

It has its moments.

When I get him to verify, using multiple sources. he'll be less likely to argue nonsense. It's a slow process, but he's learning.