Housing Minister Fraser Initiates Nationwide Fundraising Effort

Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser responds to a question during a news conference, in Ottawa, on Jan. 29, 2024. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld

Housing Minister Sean Fraser has initiated a Canada-wide fundraising campaign, though he has not commented on whether this effort is part of a campaign to lead the federal Liberal Party.

The fundraising campaign took a step forward with a $500-per-person event on Feb. 7 at the Calgary Petroleum Club, organized by Mr. Fraser’s Central Nova Federal Liberal Association, as first covered by Blacklock’s Reporter.

The event, highlighted in Elections Canada filings, took place far from Mr. Fraser’s office in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.

Kent Hehr, a former Liberal MP for Calgary Centre and one of the organizers of the Petroleum Club fundraiser, shared his optimism about the Liberal Party’s prospects in the upcoming election.

“While many are counting the federal Liberals as being dead on arrival in the next election, I think the outcome of this is far from clear,” Mr. Hehr remarked in a LinkedIn post dated Feb. 13.

He further noted the challenge posed by the federal Conservatives led by Pierre Poilievre, whom he described as “an extremely intelligent and engaging person” who could become Canada’s “most right-leaning Prime Minister ever” if elected.

The fundraiser attracted notable attendees, including former Calgary mayor Al Duerr, former Calgary councillor Evan Woolley, and a host of lawyers, developers, and oil and gas executives from Alberta, marking a departure from the Central Nova Federal Liberal Association’s usual donor base from Nova Scotia, Québec, and Ontario.

Mr. Hehr, in his post, highlighted the challenges faced by the federal Liberals, who are in their ninth year of governance.

“For any government, it becomes harder to win elections the longer you have been in power,” he wrote, noting that governments have typically lasted about 10 years over the last 45 years.

Mr. Fraser’s office did not comment on the Calgary fundraiser when queried recently by reporters, and Mr. Fraser did not respond to questions about a potential leadership bid during a Jan. 29 news conference in Ottawa.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller was also asked at the press conference if he would like to run for leadership of the Liberal Party.

“Not a chance,” he responded.

“We have a leader,” Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland added.