Leona Alleslev

Leona Alleslev MP (born March 16, 1968) is a Canadian politician who was elected as a Member of Parliament to represent the riding of Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill in the House of Commons. Originally elected as a Liberal in the 2015 federal election,[2] on September 17, 2018, she crossed the floor to join the Conservative Party, citing alleged disagreements with the Liberal government over their handling of the economy and foreign affairs.[3] On October 21, 2019, she was re-elected as a Conservative. Following the election, Alleslev was appointed as Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party, a position she resigned on July 12, 2020.[4][5]

Captain Leona Alleslev MP
Alleslev in September 2018
Deputy Leader of the Opposition
In office November 28, 2019 – July 12, 2020
Leader	Andrew Scheer
Preceded by	Lisa Raitt
Succeeded by	Candice Bergen
Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party
In office November 28, 2019 – July 12, 2020
President	Scott Lamb
Leader	Andrew Scheer
Preceded by	Lisa Raitt
Succeeded by	Candice Bergen
Member of the Canadian Parliament for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill
Incumbent
Assumed office October 19, 2015
Preceded by	District created
Personal details
Born	March 16, 1968[1]
Political party	Conservative (2018–present)
Other political affiliations	Liberal (2014–2018)
Spouse(s)	Ted Krofchak
Residence	Oak Ridges, Ontario, Canada
Alma mater	Royal Military College
Military service
Allegiance	Canada
Branch/service	Royal Canadian Air Force
Years of service	1987–1996
Rank	Captain

Member of Parliament

From December 2, 2015, to January 27, 2017, Leona Alleslev served as the former Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement. Alleslev currently is a member of the Standing Committee on National Defence and the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration.

Alleslev with Andrew Scheer and Candice Bergen in December 2019

During the General Meeting of the Parliamentary NATO Association on October 30, 2018, Alleslev was ousted from her role as Chair and replaced with Liberal MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj. The Conservatives attempted to delay the vote by having their staffers break into a rendition of Stan Rogers' Barrett's Privateers while pouring and passing around a bottle of unknown liquid, later confirmed to be alcohol by Conservative MP Garnett Genuis. Conservatives were criticized as the meeting room was not hosting a reception or party; it was hosting a parliamentary association meeting, making the consumption of alcohol inappropriate.[6]

On November 29, 2019, Andrew Scheer appointed Alleslev as Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.[4]

On July 12, 2020, she announced that she was stepping down as Deputy Leader. She stated that the Conservative Party was in the process of choosing its next leader that will guide them through Canada's next chapter and it was too important for her to be on the sidelines. She also stated her interest in engaging in one of the leadership campaigns in the 2020 leadership race.[7][8] On July 13, 2020, she endorsed Peter MacKay to be the next Conservative leader.[9][10] Peter MacKay's campaign claims it did not cut a deal with her to get her endorsement and she stated that "My loyalty can’t be bought, it must be earned".[11][12] She was succeeded as deputy leader by Candice Bergen.[13]

Military service and work experience

The eldest daughter of RCAF Major-General Ian Alleslev, Leona Alleslev graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in 1991, and served as a logistics officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force, taking voluntary release at the rank of captain. Alleslev also worked as a senior manager in the aerospace industry and the Department of National Defence.[14]

Electoral record

2019 Canadian federal election: Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%	Expenditures
	Conservative	Leona Alleslev	23,333	44.7	-0.5
	Liberal	Leah Taylor Roy	22,014	42.2	-5.1
	New Democratic	Aaron Brown	3,684	7.1	+1.4
	Green	Timothy Flemming	2,090	4.0	+2.7
	Libertarian	Serge Korovitsyn	517	1.0	-
	People's	Priya Patil	524	1.0	-
Total valid votes/Expense limit				100.0
Total rejected ballots
Turnout
Eligible voters
	Conservative gain from Liberal		Swing		+2.3
Source: Elections Canada[15] CBC[16]

2015 Canadian federal election: Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%	Expenditures
	Liberal	Leona Alleslev	24,104	47.3%	+19.45%	–
	Conservative	Costas Menegakis	23,043	45.2%	−6.31%	–
	New Democratic	Brenda Power	2,908	5.7%	−10.25%	–
	Green	Randi Ramdeen	654	1.3%	−2.17%	–
	Animal Alliance	Kyle Bowles	241	0.5%	–	–
Total valid votes/Expense limit			–	100.0		$211,322.50
Total rejected ballots			–	–	–
Turnout			50,950	64.62%	–
Eligible voters			78,848
	Liberal notional gain from Conservative		Swing		+12.88
Source: Elections Canada[17][18][19]

References

1. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 5, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
2. Taekema, Dan (October 20, 2015). "Liberal, Conservative Candidates in Tight Race in Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill". Toronto Star.
3. Tasker, John Paul (September 17, 2018). "Toronto-area Liberal MP Leona Alleslev crosses the floor to join Conservatives". CBC News. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
4. Aiello, Rachelo (November 28, 2019). "Scheer maintains core parliamentary team, names new deputy leader". CTV News.
5. Alleslev, Leona. "The selection of the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada is too important a decision for me to stand to the side. Today, I am stepping down as Deputy Leader of her Majesty's Loyal Opposition to engage more actively in the leadership campaign. (1/2)". Twitter. @LeonaAlleslev. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
6. "Conservatives push back when asked why they cracked open bottle, launched into song at meeting". Global News.
7. Alleslev, Leona. "The selection of the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada is too important a decision for me to stand to the side. Today, I am stepping down as Deputy Leader of her Majesty's Loyal Opposition to engage more actively in the leadership campaign. (1/2)". Twitter. @LeonaAlleslev. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
8. Alleslev, Leona. "Sincere thanks to @AndrewScheer for the trust he placed in me and the privilege of serving in our strengthened Conservative opposition by his side. (2/2)". Twitter. @LeonaAlleslev. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
9. MacKay, Peter. "Leona Alleslev MP, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill (Ontario)". Twitter. @PeterMacKay. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
10. Alleslev, Leona. "Canada faces an uncertain future. Canada needs a leader who has the experience and a plan to tackle the priorities of our time. That is why Peter Mackay has my support. @PeterMacKay". Twitter. @LeonaAlleslev. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
11. "MacKay's campaign says no deal was cut to woo deputy party leader's endorsement". MSN. Canadian Press. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
12. "Campaign denies deal as Deputy Conservative leader Leona Alleslev steps aside, endorses Peter MacKay". National Post. Canadian Press. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
13. "O'Toole names top Tories for Commons roles, with Bergen as deputy leader". Kamloops This Week. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
14. "Former Air Cadet Leona Alleslev - Air Cadet League of Canada". Air Cadet League of Canada. April 7, 2016.
15. "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
16. {https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/elections/federal/2019/results/riding/21700}}
17. Canada, Elections. "Voter Information Service - Who are the candidates in my electoral district?". www.elections.ca.
18. Canada, Elections. "Final Election Expenses Limits for Candidates". www.elections.ca. Archived from the original on August 15, 2015.
19. "Election Night Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 20, 2015.