Belinda Stronach
Belinda Stronach
Belinda Stronach (born May 2, 1966), a prominent Canadian business-person new to politics, is running to be the leader of the recently-founded Conservative Party of Canada. Up until entering the leadership race for the Conservatives in January, 2004, Stronach was the president and CEO of Magna International, a major automotive supplier based in Aurora, Ontario just north of Toronto.
Stronach is the daughter of the founder of Magna, Frank Stronach. She studied at York University (Ontario) business school for a year before dropping out. She is well-known in business circles, having been named the most powerful woman in Canadian business and the second most powerful woman in international business.
Stronach maintains ties with controversial North American politicians. She is a close friend of scandalled U.S. President Bill Clinton, and advised by unpopular former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.
Throughout the summer and into the fall of 2003, talks were undertaken by officials of the Progressive Conservative Party and the Canadian Alliance party with respect to a merger of those parties. During negotiations each party had three representatives, and the meetings were overseen by a facilitator. It was later revealed that Stronach was the facilitator. It is also alleged that she was the person who convinced PC leader Peter MacKay and Alliance leader Stephen Harper to undertake the merger talks in the first place.
As a candidate for leader of the new party, she has drawn a great deal of publicity to the race. Many feel that this has more to do with her being an attractive female than being a strong contender.
At campaign launch, Stronach shocked many with her support of Same-Sex Marriage, an issue strongly opposed by her fellow caucus members. While this progressive view might help her chances in Ontario, it is unlikely her caucus would follow a lead to support any equality-based legislation. She has also expressed feelings against the decriminalization of marijuana, though she admitted to smoking pot in high school.
Many in the media saw her first foray into politics as sophomoric, flubbing obviously-practiced lines, and approaching the podium well before the teleprompter was ready. Stronach stood before the microphone mute for several minutes before the prompter began.
On February 11, 2004, she abstained from a debate between the conservative party candidates, leaving just Tony Clement and Stephen Harper to participate in the televised debate on CBC.
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2004 Canadian election | 2004 Conservative Party of Canada leadership race | Canadian Conservative Party | Canadian federal election, 2004 | Conservative Party of Canada | Dennis Mills | Famous Canadians | January 2004 | Leadership convention | List of Canadians | List of famous Canadian people | List of famous Canadians | This Hour Has 22 Minutes
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