- Blue Tory
Blue Tories, also known as small 'c' conservatives, are, in Canadian politics, members of the former
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada and currentConservative Party of Canada who are more ideologically right wing. Prior to the 1960s, these Conservatives were most identified with theMontreal andToronto commercial elite who took positions of influence within the Progressive Conservative Party. Since the mid-1970s, they have been heavily influenced by theneo-liberal movement. Blue Tories tend to favour neo-liberal policies such as devolution of federal power to the provincial governments, a reduced role for government in the economy, reduction of taxation and similar mainstream neoconservative ideals.One example of a Blue Tory administration in Canada was the "
Common Sense Revolution " provincial conservative government ofOntario PremierMike Harris . The Harris Tories were widely viewed as extremely right-wing by Canadian standards in their economic policies and style of governance. Harris' government embarked on a number of conservative-theory-based initiatives, including cuts to education, welfare, and Medicare, privatization of government services and health care, the sale of provincial highways, and the forced amalgamation of municipalities. Provincial income taxes were also cut by 30% and corporate tax rates were nearly cut in half during the Harris mandate.Most Blue Tories are at least somewhat ideologically aligned close to the economic neo-liberal positions of the former
Canadian Alliance , and as such supported the merger between the PCs and the Alliance to form the newConservative Party of Canada (CPC). Some notable Blue Tories include many prominent federal and provincial Progressive Conservatives such as former PC Party Leader and current National Defence ministerPeter MacKay , Conservative Party leadership contender and current Health ministerTony Clement , and former Premier ofOntario Mike Harris . Based on his statements and actions made in the last election, some political commentators have suggested that the current Conservative Prime Minister,Stephen Harper , has also shifted his ideology closer to the Blue Tory mould as opposed to thesocial conservatism that was usually identified with the leadership of theCanadian Alliance and Reform Parties.ee also
*
Neoconservatism in Canada
*Red Tory
*Canadian Conservatism
*Small-c conservative
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