A petition to suspend the Conservative Party leadership race has emerged, as coronavirus concerns continue to cancel major events and public gatherings.
The petition argues that with Canada's coronavirus cases continually rising with no clear end in sight, the public's safety should be put before the leadership contest.
"Canadians at large are no longer engaged in our party's race," reads the petition, started by Canadian grass-roots political page Elect Conservatives.
"The contest can continue once parliament has re-commenced sitting (currently anticipated for April 20th). Once MPs across all leadership campaigns have returned to full time work, our race can also return."
The 2020 CPC leadership election is penned to take place on June 27, 2020, more than three months away but in the midst of a global pandemic — no events are guaranteed.
Current verified candidates include former Minister of Justice and Attorney General Peter Mackay, Durham MP and Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs Erin O'Toole, Toronto lawyer Leslyn Lewis, Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu, and former British Columbia Conservative Party candidate Rick Peterson.
To view the full petition, click here.