Flaherty made the unusual decision to deliver his speech in his home town of Whitby and have it broadcast live to the convention.

This was criticized as being "gimmicky" and reminiscent of the disastrous Magna budget and as demonstrating a hostility to Toronto.

Flaherty's campaign was strongly critical of outgoing leader Ernie Eves accusing him of abandoning the "Common Sense Revolution" and arguing for a return to the policies of Mike Harris.

He also argued against the privatization of crown corporations such as the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, which had been advocated by his rivals.

Klees ran as a defender of the Common Sense Revolution but, unlike Flaherty, was not seen as a social conservative.

He was the only candidate to argue in favour of "two tier" health care and privatization within medicare.

Only party members in good standing as of 6:00 p.m., EDT, August 7, 2004, were eligible to vote.

There were four Deputy Chief Election Officers: Janet Carwardine, Barbara Cowieson, Murna Dalton and Allan Williams.