September 15, 2022, 13h30-15h00

An Analysis of the Conservative Party Leadership Race

Mike Donison and Adam Bolek

What might the results of the Conservative leadership race mean for the future of the party and indicate about the current state of politics in Canada?

Mr. Donison will provide an overview of how the Conservative Party of Canada voting process and the counting of ballots worked, along with an analysis of the results of the leadership contest. 

Mr. Bolek will give a detailed analysis of individual campaigns and what contributed to their outcomes, as well as why the newly elected leader and their campaign were successful. 

They will also comment on what challenges the Conservative Party may face and how this affects the federal political scene looking towards the next general election. 

This seminar is being offered at the request of diplomats. A question and answer session will follow.

The opinions expressed by the speakers and commentators at our events and posted on our website are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Christian Embassy.

Mike Donison

Mr. Donison was a political consultant and analyst for more than 20 federal and provincial elections. He has served in a number of political roles in Ottawa:

  • Deputy Director and then Director of Policy and Research in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition
  • Executive Director of the Conservative Party of Canada 
  • Senior Policy Advisor for Legislation and Democratic Reform to the Government House Leader.

He has worked with cabinet ministers, including as Assistant to the Minister of National Defence and Veterans’ Affairs in Ottawa (1979-80) and Ministerial Assistant to the Minister of Industry and Small Business Development in Victoria, B.C. (1980-82). 

Since 2011 he has served as the Chancellor of‎ the Anglican Network in Canada (ANIC). 

Mr. Donison is a graduate of the University of Victoria (Honours Political Science) and the University of British Columbia (Law). He practiced law, particularly in the areas of commercial, real estate and succession and estate law for 23 years and is still a member of the British Columbia Bar. He taught courses on Constitutional law, the Canadian Legal System and Canadian Government at the University of Victoria.

Mike and his wife Marilyn are enjoying retirement in Kelowna, B.C.

Adam Bolek photo

Adam Bolek

Mr. Bolek has fifteen years experience in public and government affairs, politics, campaigns and research. He attended McMaster University, before moving to Ottawa to work for the Association of Canadian Distillers. 

Subsequently, Adam joined Crestview Strategy, rising to the position of Vice President, responsible for Ottawa based clients and staff. He has worked across all industries and issues, ranging from mining, trade, telecommunications and technology. He has advised political parties and leaders around the world, as well as corporate and non-profit leaders. 

In the corporate sector, Adam served as Director of Government Relations for TELUS, one of Canada's most important telecommunications companies. He most recently was the Head of Global Government Relations at OpenText, one of Canada's largest and most dynamic software companies.

Adam is now leading Government Affairs for Binance, the world's largest crypto currency company and a global fintech leader.