Canadian Future Party

The Canadian Future Party emerged from the Centre Ice Conservatives who were co-founded by former Conservative leadership candidate Rick Peterson in April 2022 as a pressure group within the Conservative Party of Canada in the lead up to the 2022 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election.{{cite news |last1=Major |first1=Darren |title=Group led by former Conservative leadership candidate considering forming a new federal party |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/centre-ice-canadians-looking-to-form-political-party-1.6839129 |access-date=August 16, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=May 20, 2023}} Their aim was to moderate the rightward shift the party was on. Centre Ice Conservatives initially included figures such as former BC Liberal premier Christy Clark, former Conservative minister Peter Kent and National Post columnist Tasha Kheiriddin as supporters.{{cite news |last1=Taube |first1=Michael |title=Michael Taube: Canadian Future, a party for losers |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/michael-taube-canadian-future-a-party-for-losers |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=National Post |date=September 23, 2023}} The group left the party as a result of the election of Pierre Poilievre as leader and changed its name to Centre Ice Canadians in an attempt to appeal to disaffected Liberals as well as Conservatives.{{cite news |last1=Huras |first1=Adam |title=New federal party aims to find centrist approach to federal politics |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/new-federal-party-will-have-new-brunswick-politician-as-interim-leader |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=National Post |date=September 20, 2023}}

On September 20, 2023, it was announced that, after months of discussion, the group would be forming a political party to contest elections. Former New Brunswick cabinet minister Dominic Cardy became interim leader of the party.{{cite web |title=From Centre Ice Conservatives to Canadian Future, a new federal party takes shape |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/from-centre-ice-conservatives-to-canadian-future-a-new-federal-party-takes-shape-1.6570315 |access-date=August 4, 2024 |work=CTV News |date=September 20, 2023}} On February 6, 2024, it was announced that Denis Blanchette had joined their national council. He is a former New Democratic Party MP and was the first president of the New Democratic Party of Quebec.{{Cite web |last=McPhail |first=Tara |date=6 February 2024 |title=Former MP joins CFP national council |url=https://www.ourcanadianfuture.ca/post/former-mp-joins-cfp-national-council |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224001108/https://www.ourcanadianfuture.ca/post/former-mp-joins-cfp-national-council |archive-date=24 February 2024 |access-date=25 August 2024 |website=Our Canadian Future}} The party announced the formation of an internal youth council on February 21, 2024.{{Cite web |date=21 February 2024 |title=Calling all youth |url=https://www.ourcanadianfuture.ca/post/appel-à-tous-les-jeunes |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416013233/https://www.ourcanadianfuture.ca/post/appel-%C3%A0-tous-les-jeunes |archive-date=16 April 2024 |access-date=25 August 2024 |website=Our Canadian Future}}

The party applied to be registered by Elections Canada and was recognized by the agency as an "eligible party" on July 22, 2024, and became officially registered on August 8, 2024.{{cite web |title=Registered Political Parties and Parties Eligible for Registration |url=https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=pol&dir=par&document=index&lang=e#cfp |website=Elections Canada |access-date=14 August 2024}} The party was officially launched at an August 14, 2024 press conference.{{cite news |last1=Macdonald |first1=Brennan |title=Dominic Cardy officially launches new federal political party |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/dominic-cardy-officially-launches-new-federal-political-party-1.7000587 |access-date=August 14, 2024 |work=CTV News |date=August 14, 2024}}

In July 2024, interim leader Dominic Cardy was arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest in Toronto for disturbing the peace after chanting "Free Palestine from Hamas".{{cite web |title=New Brunswick politician arrested at an anti-Israel rally in Toronto |url=https://omny.fm/shows/cjad-800/provincial-politician-and-interim-leader-for-the-c |website=CJAD 800 |publisher=Elias Makos |access-date=August 5, 2024}}

On July 29, 2024, the party announced its intention to run candidates in the federal by-elections in LaSalle—Émard—Verdun and Elmwood—Transcona scheduled for September 16, 2024.{{cite web |title=Let's Do This! |url=https://www.ourcanadianfuture.ca/post/let-s-do-this |website=Our Canadian Future |date=29 July 2024 |publisher=Canadian Future Party |access-date=July 29, 2024}}{{cite web |title=Registered Political Parties and Parties Eligible for Registration |url=https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=pol&dir=par&document=index&lang=e#cfp |website=Elections Canada |access-date=July 29, 2024}}{{cite web |title=A former Progressive Conservative who calls Pierre Poilievre 'terrifying' is launching a new political party |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/a-former-progressive-conservative-who-calls-pierre-poilievre-terrifying-is-launching-a-new-political-party/article_4d9956a0-5987-11ef-9f45-232cb62f5150.html |website=The Star |date=13 August 2024 |access-date=August 13, 2024}} On August 14, 2024, Mark Khoury was announced as the party's candidate for the LaSalle—Émard—Verdun by-election.{{cite web |title=Canadian Future Party launches, will field candidates in upcoming byelections |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-future-party-launches-1.7294230 |website=CBCNews.ca |access-date=August 14, 2024}} Zbig Strycharz was later announced as its standard-bearer in Elmwood—Transcona.{{cite web |title=Zbig Strycharz Elmwood—Transcona |url=https://thecanadianfutureparty.ca/zbig-strycharz-2/ |website=Canadian Future Party |access-date=August 14, 2024}}{{Cite news |last=Kives |first=Bartley |date=20 August 2024 |title=New federal centrist party has Zbig news for Elmwood-Transcona byelection |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/canadian-future-party-elmwood-transcona-1.7299746 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821231508/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/canadian-future-party-elmwood-transcona-1.7299746 |archive-date=21 August 2024 |access-date=21 August 2024 |work=CBC News}}

The party elected its first leader Dominic Cardy at its founding convention in November 2024.{{cite web | last=Huras | first=Adam | title=Dominic Cardy now permanent leader of own upstart federal party | website=Telegraph-Journal | date=November 9, 2024 | url=https://tj.news/new-brunswick/dominic-cardy-now-permanent-leader-of-his-upstart-federal-party | access-date=November 10, 2024}} 112 delegates attended the event.{{Cite news |last=Kennedy-Glans |first=Donna |date=24 November 2024 |title=New federal party looks for 'lightning' in the mushy middle |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/new-federal-party-looks-for-lightning-in-the-mushy-middle |access-date=24 November 2024 |work=National Post}}

The party's executive director is Cardy's wife, Julie Smith.{{cite news |title=Dominic Cardy now permanent leader of his upstart federal party |url=https://tj.news/new-brunswick/dominic-cardy-now-permanent-leader-of-his-upstart-federal-party |access-date=March 5, 2025 |work=Telegraph-Journal |date=November 9, 2024}}

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The party's early stances involved positioning themselves as political centrists while trying to differentiate themselves from the Liberal and Conservative Parties.{{cite news |title=New party pitches itself as centrist option for voters unhappy with Liberals, Conservatives |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/new-federal-centrist-party-canada-1.6972891 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=September 20, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Bailey |first1=Ian |title=Politics Briefing: Canada getting a national political party aimed at disaffected members of other parties |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-politics-briefing-canada-getting-a-national-political-party-aimed-at/ |work=Globe and Mail |date=September 20, 2023}} The party's 'interim policy framework' lists five areas of concern: Personal Freedoms, Open Government, Responsible Spending, Stronger Together (At Home), and Stronger Together (Abroad).{{cite web |title=Interim Policy Framework |url=https://www.ourcanadianfuture.ca/policy-framework |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729194806/https://www.ourcanadianfuture.ca/policy-framework |archive-date=29 July 2024 |access-date=August 4, 2024 |website=Our Canadian Future |publisher=Canadian Future Party}} In February 2024 interim leader Dominic Cardy held a virtual discussion hosted by CPAC on the topic of Canadian support for Ukraine during which he noted the need for Canada to rebuild Canada's military and foreign relations and criticizing both the Liberal and Conservative Parties.{{cite web |title=Rick Hillier in Conversation with Dominic Cardy on Ukraine Support |url=https://www.cpac.ca/headline-politics/episode/rick-hillier-in-conversation-with-dominic-cardy-on-ukraine-support?id=dd6a4d67-8f49-4415-b715-7036b89628c0 |website=CPAC |access-date=August 6, 2024}}

• Remaining uninvolved in anything considered a private matter for adult citizens

• Electoral reform resulting in mixed-member proportional representation
• Increased public participation in policymaking as part of the legislative process
• Greater transparency by ensuring all public government documents are easily available online
• Improving the timeliness of responses to the public from government offices
• A national internet strategy to protect privacy rights
• The creation of an independent office combatting disinformation
• Combatting abuses of artificial intelligence

• Reform of the civil service to refocus government efforts to where the most impact can be made{{Cite web |last=Cardy |first=Dominic |date=19 April 2024 |title=An underwhelming response when boldness is required: Budget 2024 |url=https://www.ourcanadianfuture.ca/post/budget-2024-an-underwhelming-response-when-boldness-is-required |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519062418/https://www.ourcanadianfuture.ca/post/budget-2024-an-underwhelming-response-when-boldness-is-required |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=18 August 2024 |website=Our Canadian Future}}
• Allowing the private sector to take a larger role in society with government oversight
• Simplifying the tax code to close loopholes in cooperation with the provinces and territories
• Ending corporate subsidies and supply management where a return on investment cannot be delivered
• Improving government procurement based on private sector best practices
• Lowering the national debt

• Combatting climate change with carbon capture, nuclear, renewables, and democratically sourced fossil fuels
• Imposing the costs of emissions on large emitters rather than directly on citizens
• Respecting areas of provincial authority and ensuring data is shared on how federal money is used
• Negotiate self-government and resource sharing agreements with First Nations
• Forming a national civil defence corps to handle national disasters and provide opportunities to youth
• Restructuring the RCMP into a domestic intelligence service and leaving policing to the provinces and territories
• Working with the provinces and territories to build housing and direct immigrants to areas they are needed
• Ensuring provinces and territories share data on healthcare spending
• Allowing immigrants qualified in healthcare to be assessed for work within six months
• Investing in scientific research and development to attract Canadian youth and immigrants to tech roles

• A comprehensive review of foreign and defence policy
• Supporting an alliance of democracies starting with Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom
• Increase military spending to 2% of GDP to meet NATO goals

The Canadian Future Party supports the aid granted by the Government of Canada to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion of the country began in February 2022. It has also been critical of the Conservative Party for voting against the Canada–Ukraine Free Trade Agreement over the language on carbon pricing, claiming they sacrificed Ukrainian interests to appease pro-Russian and climate change denying influencers on social media. The Future Party calls for more monetary, diplomatic, and material aid to be given to Ukraine. It also would like to see greater spending on the Canadian Forces to support NATO and other democracies globally, and has expressed discontent with cuts to defence spending by the Liberal Party.{{Cite web |last=Cardy |first=Dominic |date=25 November 2023 |title=Why Ukraine matters to Canada |url=https://www.ourcanadianfuture.ca/post/why-ukraine-matters-to-canada |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223224400/https://www.ourcanadianfuture.ca/post/why-ukraine-matters-to-canada |archive-date=23 February 2024 |access-date=18 August 2024 |website=Our Canadian Future}}

Citing forecasts by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation that five million new housing units will be needed by 2030 to meet current needs, the Canadian Future Party has proposed directly involving the federal government in new developments. It proposes first engaging in areas under federal responsibility, such as housing for military bases and government employees, which can take pressure off of local supply. This housing would also prioritize the use of new technologies to minimize their environmental impact. Housing for indigenous communities is also something the party would look into, building off-reserve stock to address their needs.{{Cite web |last=Cardy |first=Dominic |date=15 January 2024 |title=Let's talk housing |url=https://www.ourcanadianfuture.ca/post/let-s-talk-housing |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519041907/https://www.ourcanadianfuture.ca/post/let-s-talk-housing |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=18 August 2024 |website=Our Canadian Future}}

Furthermore, the party aims to encourage remote work. Ultimatums requiring employees to return to the office are seen as a negative factor in dense urban centres. Flexible workforces are seen as a possible solution to maximizing existing housing stock. The party also sees it as a way to revitalize smaller communities across the country in the process of alleviating large cities.

The Canadian Future Party expressed concerns regarding allegations of the Liberal nomination of Han Dong in Don Valley North having been subject to foreign interference. Referring to a report by the Foreign Interference Commission, which stated that nomination contests can be gateways for foreign states wishing to interfere in democratic processes, the following four recommendations were put forward for the party's own operations:{{Cite web |date=9 May 2024 |title=Foreign interference is real. Parties should act now |url=https://www.ourcanadianfuture.ca/post/foreign-interference-is-real-parties-should-act-now |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519042909/https://www.ourcanadianfuture.ca/post/foreign-interference-is-real-parties-should-act-now |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=18 August 2024 |website=Our Canadian Future}}

• Only Canadian citizens can become voting members of the Canadian Future Party
• Permanent residents can be engaged but will be given observer status
• Voting members will have to join the party in advance of a nomination to participate
• The disclosure of any candidate's relationship to a foreign power will be required

Bill C-70 has been described by the party as containing many positive elements they have called for. These include the foreign agent registry, new powers for CSIS, and new criminal offences aimed at protecting Canadian institutions. An additional recommendation was made to amend the Elections Act to strengthen oversight over party nominations. Due to the possibility that Bill C-70 may not be in force in time for a future election, it was suggested that Elections Canada create voluntary guidelines for all federal parties to update their nomination processes beforehand.

• Tara McPhail (2023–2024)
• Mark Khoury (2025-present)

• Red Tory
• Blue Grit
• Third Way

{{reflist}}

{{Canadian federal political parties}}

{{Canadian conservative parties}}

Category:Federal political parties in Canada

Category:Centrist parties in Canada

Category:Fiscal conservatism

Category:Political parties established in 2023