Brian Mulroney and the PCs' popularity have plummeted in the wake of the Goods and Services Tax, a recession and the rise of Quebec nationalism
Brian Mulroney, the first non-Liberal Prime Minister to serve more than 10 months since John Diefenbaker, has retired less than a year before the next federal election. With an unpopular tax increase, a resurgent right-wing in the form of the Reform Party, an economic recession, and the rise of the nationalist Bloc Quebecois from PC's Quebec wing, Mulroney and the Progressive Conservatives were in dire straights as the next election approached.
Patrick Boyer, MP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore - Boyer is a vigorous advocate for democratizing the Canadian electoral process. It was largely due to his efforts that the 1992 Charlottetown Accord was submitted as a national referendum. Among his more controversial positions is a renaming of the party to the "Democratic Conservative Party," and an increase of direct democracy in Canada.
Kim Campbell, MP for Vancouver Centre - Campbell is hugely popular among the Canadian public, the party's supporters and the caucus. A western Canadian, it's thought that she could win back the right-wingers in the west who've been drawn to the Reform Party over the course of the Mulroney Ministry. She has the support of the majority of the caucus, and her personal popularity is among the highest in the country. She's known for her frank, unpolished style, and is seen as a bit of a break from the Mulroney legacy.
Jean Charest, MP for Sherbrooke - Charest is largely supported by the Quebec wing of the party and is seen as the best chance to prevent the Liberals from retaking the province, and to nip the rise of the BQ in the bud. A conservative, Canadian labor unions are largely opposed to him. He is an environmentalist, and is in favor of a more "Green" PC party.
Jim Edwards, MP for Edmonton Southwest - Edwards is a bit of a prairie populist, and is considered a loyal party member. Like Campbell, he's considered to be someone whom can win over supporters of the Reform Party.
Garth Turner, MP for Halton Peel - Unquestionably the most moderate and most outsider candidate, the rookie MP is significantly to the left of his caucus. He has a loyal following, but is seen as a white flag to Reform.
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