This is the first in a series of profiles from CBC News' 

on the candidates looking to become the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.&nbsp;

After a five-year break from politics, former Progressive Conservative leader and&nbsp;Conservative cabinet minister Peter MacKay hopes to make his return as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.

Conservative leadership candidate profile: Leslyn Lewis

Lawyer Leslyn Lewis doesn’t have a seat in Parliament but is vying for the Conservative Party of Canada leadership under a social conservative banner.

Conservative leadership candidates: Leslyn Lewis

Conservative Party of Canada leadership candidate Leslyn Lewis makes her opening statement at the start of the French Leadership Debate in Toronto on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. 

Conservative Leadership Debate 20200617

Conservative leadership candidate profile: Erin O'Toole

The son of a former provincial politician, Ontario MP Erin O'Toole is a Canadian Forces veteran and a former veterans affairs minister and is looking to take the fight to the Liberals from the right.

Conservative leadership candidates: Erin O’Toole

Conservative MP Erin O'Toole listens during the Conservative caucus retreat on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on January 24, 2020.

COVID Conservative Leadership 20200322

Long-time Conservative MP and Royal Canadian Air Force veteran Erin O’Toole is making his third bid for party leadership.

Conservative leadership candidate profile: Derek Sloan

A newly minted MP seeking the Conservative leadership, Derek Sloan hopes to rally what he says is a growing socially conservative base.

Conservative leadership race: Derek Sloan

Conservative Party of Canada leadership candidate Derek Sloan makes his opening statement at the start of the French Leadership Debate in Toronto on Wednesday, June 17, 2020.

Conservative leadership candidates weigh in on why Canada needs their ideas - and what they'd prioritize as PM

CBC News invited all four federal Conservative Party leadership candidates to write about the key ideas in their platform, why Canada needs these ideas now and what actions they'd prioritize in their first 100 days as leader of the nation if their party forms the next government.

Candidates for the Conservative leadership faced off in French in the first of two debates in Toronto on Wednesday, July 17, 2020. Clockwise from top left: Erin O'Toole, Leslyn Lewis, Derek Sloan and Peter MacKay.

Conservative leadership debate

Clockwise from top left: Conservative Party of Canada leadership candidates Erin O'Toole, Leslyn Lewis, Derek Sloan and Peter MacKay.

More profiles will be posted in the coming days. Conservatives are selecting a new leader using mail-in balloting and the winner is expected to be announced on the weekend.

CBC News will have special coverage of the Conservative leadership race results on Sunday, Aug. 23 on&nbsp;

&nbsp;and CBC News Network, starting at 5 p.m. ET, and on CBC Radio One starting at 6:30 p.m. ET.

After a five year break from politics, former Progressive Conservative leader and cabinet minister Peter MacKay hopes to make his return as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.

Conservative leadership candidate profile: Peter MacKay

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