A Quebec senator leaves the Conservative caucus to join the Canadian Senators Group (CSG), but will remain a member of the Conservative Party.
Sen. Larry Smith’s move to CSG was first announced via the group’s official Twitter account, then confirmed Thursday by Smith’s office.
Smith’s departure from the Conservative caucus comes as the party must choose its new leader in September. The Quebec senator endorsed the province’s former premier, Jean Charest, for the Conservative leadership.
As a widely recognized and respected personality in Quebec, @SenLWSmith contributed greatly to his home province and to our country through his endeavors in sport, business and charity.
All CSG members look forward to working with Senator Smith. @SenateCA #cndpoli pic.twitter.com/DtJTgWmLQ3
Financial reports released by Elections Canada earlier this week show that Charest’s main rival in the leadership race, Pierre Poilievre, raised just over $4 million in the second quarter of the year, while that Charest raised nearly $1.4 million over the same period.
Smith’s office denied that his departure from the Conservative caucus was related to the leadership race. “His decision was entirely personal,” a statement from Smith’s office said.
Although he will no longer sit as a Conservative senator, Smith’s office has said he will remain a member of the party.
Smith was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, first in 2010 before leaving the Red Chamber to launch an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the House of Commons in the 2011 election. Harper later reappointed him in 2011.
“Internet evangelist. Extreme communicator. Subtly charming alcohol aficionado. Typical tv geek.”