Dcarie'surprised' by rejection of Conservative leadership bid

Social conservativeRichard Dcariesays he doesn't know why the Conservative Party barred him from running for the party's leadership but points out that party officials asked him questions about his statements on hot-button social issuesduring the interview phase of his application.

"I was very clear about what I said, and why I said it," Dcarie, a former adviser to former prime minister Stephen Harper,told CBC News today, referring to his comments in the media about abortion and LGBTQ rights.

After declaring his interest in the leadership, Dcarietold journalists a government led by him would de-fund abortion services, that being LGBTQ is a "choice" and that the word "marriage" should apply only to heterosexual relationships.

Dcariesaid the party committee that interviews potential leadership candidates asked him about his media statements, "everything that was on TV, written or verbal. It was all about that.

"It was only on public information, so nothing new ... It was [about] my comments that were interpreted, by the media and allthat."

On Saturday, the party namedeight candidates Saturday who had passed the first hurdles to run. Dcarie's name was not on the list.

"There was no reason given ... and they said there's no recourse," he said. "So I'm very surprised. My campaign is very surprised."

Dcarie made Thursday's deadline to submit his application, which included a42-page questionnaire, an initial$25,000 entry fee and 1,000 signatures from party members.

'Civilized and dignified'

Dcarie made it to the interview stage on Thursday. He said committee members spoke with him for less than an hour and insisted he heard nothing during the interview that suggested to himhe wouldn't be allowed to run.

"It was very fair and it was very civilized and dignified. And I didn't see anythingthat was reprehensible aboutwhatever I said or wrote," hesaid.

The party won't say publicly whyDcarie's application failed. One Conservative source cited unspecified problems withhis application.

"It didn't have to do with his opinions," said the source, who is familiar withDcarie'sapplication. "It's a long application form. There's a lot of stuff in there."

The source saidDcariewasn't the only leadership aspirant who holds similar views on social issues, citingOntario MPDerek Sloan, a party-approved candidate who said publicly that he doesn't know whether being LGBTQ is a choice.

Representing the 'brand'

Another party source, meanwhile, would only say the leadershipcommittee's primary concern iswhether "this person [can] represent the brand of the Conservative Party."

Dcarie said the suggestion that he was barred from the race over his application makes no sense to him.

"They should have said, 'We don't have an interview with you since the application is rejected.'And that's not what they did," he said. "They had an interview. A verbal interview where they ask[ed]the question, mainly about what was already public. So for me, this explanationfrom an anonymous person is completely not admissible ..."

Dcariesaid the Conservative Party is making a "major mistake" in rejecting him.

"On social networks, I have received a lot of support," he said. "Maybe ten times more than during my campaign. So I think they're making a mistake as a party."

Watch:Dcarie says a lot of Conservatives support his views (Jan. 23)

Dcarie says a lot of Conservatives support his views on abortion & LGBT rights

5 years ago

Duration 10:08

Richard Dcarie says he would push to roll back same-sex marriage & abortion rights if he wins Conservative leadership.

Dcarie said he will not take legalaction against the party. He said he'll support Sloan's campaign instead.

All Conservative leadership applicantshad to fill out a 42-page questionnaire, complete an interview and submitthe requiredsignatures and funding.

CBC News has reviewedthe application questionnaire. It asks about everything from a candidate's citizenship and work experience to whether they have ever participated in an illegal strike.

All candidates are required to providecriminal record checks and disclose whether they have ever filed for bankruptcy.There are also spaces on the application form for lengthier reflections on party policy.

There is no appeal process within the Conservative party that would allow Dcarieto contest the decision. There is an appeals committee, but it only deals with issues involving approved candidates.