Tony Clement considering return to federal politics in Muskoka, sources say - Toronto Star

Tory insiders have confirmed that Clement's name is being bandied about as a byelection candidate in his former riding of Parry Sound—Muskoka.

Tony Clement posted on social media on Feb. 20, 2019 after a sexting scandal saw the former cabinet minister and leadership hopeful kicked out of the Conservative party.

OTTAWA — Former federal Conservative cabinet minister Tony Clement is considering a comeback in the riding he once represented, the Star has learned. 

Clement did not seek re-election as the MP for Parry Sound—Muskoka in 2019 after resigning from the Conservative caucus over a sexting scandal.

But Tory insiders in Ottawa and at Queen’s Park have confirmed his name is being bandied about as a star candidate to replace MP Scott Aitchison, who plans to step down by the end of next month.

Contacted on Tuesday, Clement politely declined to comment.

Senior officials, speaking confidentially in order to discuss internal deliberations, said the veteran party stalwart was being touted by the federal Conservatives because he would give them their best hope of retaining the seat.

Federal and provincial insiders privately admit the popularity of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals mean the Tories could lose a cottage country riding they have held for 20 years.

Against that backdrop, sources close to Clement, who spoke on condition they not be named, said he is consulting with family, friends and associates about returning to public life.

One Conservative MP said his political experience would be welcome. 

“Listen, Tony made some mistakes in his past, but how he handled himself during that time was honourable,” MP Randy Hoback (Prince Albert) told the Star. 

“And if he so chose to run now I would support that, and I think he’d be a great addition to our caucus,” added Hoback.

“He provides a lot of experience and wealth and knowledge from being a former cabinet minister and I think we’d really value that.” 

First elected to the Ontario legislature in Brampton in 1995, Clement served in the cabinets of Progressive Conservative premiers Mike Harris and Ernie Eves from 1997 until 2003. He ran for the provincial PC leadership in 2002, but was defeated by Eves.

After losing his seat in the 2003 provincial election, he made the jump to federal politics, falling short in Brampton in 2004. He switched ridings for the 2006 election, when he narrowly edged out the Liberal incumbent in Parry Sound—Muskoka. Clement was easily re-elected in 2008, 2011 and 2015.

He ran for leader of the federal Tories in 2004, losing to Stephen Harper. He went on to serve in Harper’s cabinet.

In late 2018, Clement revealed he had been the target of a blackmail attempt, and acknowledged having sent sexually explicit images to someone he thought was a woman who had consented to receiving such material. 

He was asked to leave the Conservative caucus by then-leader Andrew Scheer and sat as an Independent MP until 2019, when he decided against seeking reelection.

“My personal life is back on track after the personal crisis I created, and that better lived life will continue,” he said at the time.

On Tuesday, Hoback said the party and voters would be willing to give Clement a second chance. 

“We love to forgive and move forward and I think in this case people would forgive and move forward.”

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s office referred questions Tuesday about a potential Clement candidacy to the Conservative party, which did not respond to a request for comment. 

Clement led the fundraising efforts for Poilievre’s winning leadership bid in 2022 and was later appointed to serve on the Conservative Fund Canada, of which he is no longer a member. 

A bilingual lawyer and podcaster, he is also a regular weekly panelist on CTV’s “Power Play with Vassy Kapelos.”

Aitchison’s decision to quit federal politics comes as public opinion polls suggest the Conservatives trail the Liberals in public support across Ontario. 

Meanwhile, the party is facing an internal fight in Brantford—Brant South after Conservative MP Larry Brock resigned in September.

Poilievre’s surprise decision to appoint former Brantford mayor Kevin Davis as the candidate spurred local pastor Dave Carroll, who had sought the Tory nomination, to instead run as an Independent, triggering fears of a vote split.

Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request.

There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again.

You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Stephanie Taylor is an Ottawa-based reporter covering federal politics for the Star. Reach her via email: staylor@thestar.ca

Robert Benzie is the Star’s Queen’s Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on social media: @robertbenzie.