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“We want to get it right, and I’ve sought their advice on how to make sure we do that. The consensus was very clear, that we should take our time…”

She said Mulroney and Clark in particular emphasized that the party should signal that it is open to all types of conservatives — a direct reference to Progressive Conservatives who might have felt alienated in recent years.

Former leader Stephen Harper had a mercurial relationship with Mulroney, and little contact with Clark, who had opposed the merger of the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative parties.

“The advice was, ‘Make sure that you open up the welcome, or open up your arms to those who may have felt that they weren’t part of the party in the past, or felt they were on the sidelines, but feel that they’re conservative and want to be a part of the party and want to be back in the middle of things,’” said Ambrose.

He still reaches out to those who are elected Conservatives in office today, and it became clear to me, it’s really just about caring about people and being interested in their lives

Ambrose added that she and Campbell spoke at length about the experience of being a woman at the helm of the party. She chatted with Mulroney about relations with caucus members. Mulroney was well known for remembering and marking important moments in the lives of his MPs and friends.

“He still reaches out to those who are elected Conservatives in office today, and it became clear to me, it’s really just about caring about people and being interested in their lives,” Ambrose said.

“I do that as a person, as a member of this team already, but he really underscored the importance of those human relationships, and we’re all one big team and we have to take care of each other.”