Conservatives in Canada have a lot to be optimistic about.

This may seem counter-intuitive, given the recent string of electoral loses that saw conservatives defeated by far-left candidates in Alberta, Ontario and in the federal campaign.

Despite these setbacks, Conservative Party faithful can hold their heads high going into their federal party convention later this month.

The nearly 260,000 Canadians who are paid members of the Conservative Party of Canada have received their ballots in the mail and are deliberating on how to cast their vote to select the party’s next leader.

After a slow start, this leadership race has attracted more Canadians to join the Conservative Party than at any time in the party’s history.

For those quarter of a million Canadians voting for a new leader, the ranked-ballot system gives them the ability to rank the candidates and determine where their vote will go if their top choice is eliminated.

On May 27 in Toronto, the ballot-by-ballot results will be announced, and a new leader will be elected.

It’s an exciting process, and the Conservatives leadership candidates have shown not only an excellent ability to connect with Canadians, but also, a revived commitment to small “c” conservative principles.

The leadership race was full of genuine discussions and new ideas.

Many issues that once seemed untouchable in federal politics — for example, defunding the CBC or scrapping dairy subsidies — were robustly debated by the candidates.

The issues were framed by conservatives, advocating their own principles and ideas, not defined by the biases and groupthink of the mainstream media.

Two candidates in particular — Andrew Saxton on the fiscal side, and Steven Blaney on the national security front — deserve special recognition for their bold leadership and proposals to get Canada back on the right track.

British Columbia is often forgotten in federal politics, but Saxton made sure his home province was well represented on the national stage.

Not only was B.C.’s voice heard, loud and clear, fiscal conservatives have a real champion in Saxton.

His platform, “The Road Back to Balance”, is a clear-eyed, practical guide to good governance and fiscal responsibility. It provides a detailed plan to cut wasteful spending, promote economic growth and return to a balanced budget in just a few years.

Regardless of how Saxton does on May 27, his budget proposals should be required reading for all federal politicians.

When it comes to national security, Quebec MP and former federal public safety minister Steven Blaney provides a reality check to counter Trudeau’s open-border naivety.

Far from cowering to political correctness, Blaney’s no-nonsense approach to immigration and security is exactly what Canada needs.

From his sensible proposal to stop illegal immigration across the U.S. border, to his commitment to the integration of newcomers, rather than hands-off mass migration, these policies would help restore the integrity of our immigration system.

Unlike most politicians, Blaney understands Canada’s natural advantages are being undermined by Trudeau’s gullible approach to immigration and security.

All Canadians must remain vigilant to the threats we face and, like Blaney, should refuse to be silenced by the politically correct liberal mob.

Canada is the best country in the world and common sense, conservative values and ideas are needed now more than ever to ensure we remain strong and free.

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