Shaking up Canada's established Conservative Party

A Canadian Christian educator says the Conservative Party of Canada has a "breath of fresh air" coming on the scene who could shake up America's neighbor to the north.

On June 27 the party will elect a new leader – and Toronto attorney Dr. Leslyn Lewis (pictured), who is a virtual unknown, has announced her intention to seek that position. The Toronto Sun has reported that Lewis told friends in an email: "I'm running to be leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. It's the first time in Canadian history that a visible minority woman has run for leader of either major federal party, and potentially for prime minister of Canada!"

Dr. Charles McVety is president of the Institute for Canadian Values. He says Lewis, a 49-year-old native of Jamaica, is a personal friend.

"We've got a breath of fresh air coming in because we have a strong Christian woman and she's strongly anti-abortion, she's strongly pro-traditional marriage," he describes. "And we think that she can rise to the top here and become the leader of the party."

McVety, who is also president of Canada Christian College, says Lewis will be able to secure support in traditional Liberal strongholds. "This lady will sell very well in the city centers of Canada – and that will take away from the base vote of the Liberals and … should give the Conservatives victory."

And McVety points out the left can't call her a white supremacist. "They can't shout her down and call her a bigot and a racist and all the things they call us. This takes away their sword and we think it could shake up our country."

According to the Toronto Sun, Lewis's campaign slogan will be "Courage, Compassion, and Common Sense."