David Orchard and Peter MacKay shaking hands in the hotel room where they negotiated and signed the agreement which ensured MacKay winning the PC Party leadership. Also in the room are members of their negotiating teams, from left to right, next to MacKay: Fred Doucet (adviser to MacKay), Marjaleena Repo (adviser to Orchard), Senator Noel Kinsella (adviser to MacKay). Grant Orchard, adviser to Orchard, who was also present during the negotiations, is missing from the photo.
 

David Orchard and Peter MacKay jubilant after they met on the convention floor.

Text of the agreement signed by Peter MacKay and David Orchard forming the basis for Orchard's final-ballot support for MacKay at the PC Party Leadership Convention, May 31, 2003.

This agreement was published in the Globe and Mail, June 5, 2003 under the heading "Tory leadership deal. Peter MacKay won David Orchard's support at the Tory leadership convention based on a deal hastily scrawled on a piece of paper."

May 31, 2003 Agreement between Peter MacKay and David Orchard

1) No merger, joint candidates w[ith] Alliance. Maintain 301.

2) Review of FTA/NAFTA - blue ribbon commission with D[avid] O[rchard] w[ith] choice of chair w[ith] P[eter] M[acKay's] agreement. Rest of members to be jointly agreed upon.

3) Clean up of head office including change of national director in consultation (timing w[ithin] reasonable period in future, pre-election) and some of DO's people working at head office.

4) Commitment to making environmental protection front and center incl[uding] sustainable agriculture, forestry, reducing pollution through rail.

[Signed by Peter MacKay and David Orchard]

Back Top