Tories look to future

Photo: Contributed - Manning Centre

An icon of Canadian conservatism says the current Conservative party needs to prepare itself to clean up a Trudeau mess much like it did decades ago.

Reform party founder Preston Manning is kicking off this year's annual conference of the centre in his name, an Alberta-based think tank aimed at supporting Canada's conservative movement.

A key draw this year will be speeches from some people considering a run for the leadership of the federal Conservatives, among them businessman Kevin O'Leary, already spotted this morning mingling with delegates.

Manning notes conservatism in Canada is currently on the outs, with most provinces being led by other parties.

But he says the slump provides an opportunity for conservatives to recharge and rebuild themselves with an eye on what's ahead.

He says just as conservatives were left dealing with unity and social issues in the wake of the government of Liberal prime minister Pierre Trudeau, they will be left doing the same after current Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau finishes his term.