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OTTAWA - Canada's two conservative parties on Thursday took a first step toward unifying the divided political right against the governing Liberal Party, but all involved agree the merger faces major obstacles.
Leaders of the Progressive Conservative Party and Canadian Alliance announced a deal to join in a new Conservative Party of Canada.
A single Conservative Party means no more vote-splitting that has helped the Liberals win three straight Parliament majorities in the past decade, the leaders said in announcing their agreement.
"This is about a decision for our membership and ultimately for Canadians," said Peter MacKay, the Progressive Conservative leader. "I believe it is a decision that is in the best interest of the country. It's a nation-building exercise."
Now comes implementation, including getting both parties to ratify the agreement by Dec. 12 with a meeting to choose a new leader tentatively scheduled for March. Fundraising will start immediately, along with signing up new members of both parties to bolster ranks for the leadership race.
Some dissent already has emerged, particularly among Progressive Conservatives uncomfortable with the social conservatism of the Alliance. Both parties are fiscally conservative, but the 3-year-old Alliance, which originated as the Reform Party in 1987 as a Western protest group, is less tolerant on issues such as gay rights.
Joe Clark, a former Progressive Conservative prime minister, said the agreement effectively wipes out "a hard-won reputation as a party that is both inclusive and pan-Canadian."
"Speaking personally, I cannot support a proposal which would close down that party, and put at risk that reputation," Clark said.
The parties also have separate bases of support. Almost all the Alliance seats in Parliament - 61 of 63 - are in the four western provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, while 12 of the 15 Progressive Conservative seats are in Ontario and points east.
The Alliance has particularly weak ties with Quebec, the second-most populous province that demands special status to protect its Francophone culture. The Alliance and its predecessor have a history of questioning autonomous powers for Quebec.
The lone Parliament member from Quebec for either party, Andre Bachand of the Progressive Conservatives, said he already is hearing doubts back home.
"They are saying you are sleeping with the extremists," he said.
MacKay said he expected a difficult ratification process. He won the Progressive Conservative leadership this year with a convention-floor promise not to merge with the Alliance, and faces a backlash for his reversal.