Northern exposure for ‘It Girl’

TORONTO — A friend of former President Bill Clinton will find out this week whether she will get to lead Canada’s Conservative Party. Her name is Belinda Stronach, and she’s been dubbed the “It Girl” of Canadian politics.

Mrs. Stronach has also been called a “dishy blonde” by her admirers and ” Paul Martin in a cocktail dress” by her detractors. Others describe her as a younger, prettier and wealthier version of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York Democrat.

Mr. Clinton and Mrs. Stronach have been seen together on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border, playing golf, attending horse races, eating at an upscale Toronto restaurant and attending a charity function. The friendship helped spark the media interest that is driving her campaign for public office.

The London Telegraph reported last weekend that she and Mr. Clinton first met over a round of golf in 2001 and that she later told friends he had inspired her to run for office. A Canadian wire service quoted her friends saying she was “intrigued” by Mr. Clinton’s “charisma and brainpower.”

Supporters of Mrs. Stronach dismiss suggestions of a romantic link between the two as tabloid gossip. The candidate herself answers questions about her relationship politely if not somewhat shyly.

“Bill Clinton is someone that I would welcome the advice of if I had the opportunity to take it, but that’s it,” she told one television journalist.

“We don’t consult each other on a regular basis,” she added while smiling, according to a transcript of the interview.

Rumors aside, Mrs. Stronach’s candidacy in the Conservative leadership convention being held here Saturday has put a fresh face on Canadian politics. The 37-year-old two-time divorcee is rich, ambitious and, according to Fortune magazine, ranked among the world’s most powerful women.

Mrs. Stronach is worth an estimated $600 million, but describes herself as a hard-working mother and businesswoman who simply wants to change the way Ottawa works.

“Canadians have had enough of politics as usual,” she told a gathering of Toronto business leaders last month. “Ever since I entered the race, a number of people have pointed out that I lack political experience.

“But isn’t it funny: When politicians become ministers in charge of billion-dollar budgets, no one ever asks them if they have any experience running a business.”

Mrs. Stronach has never run for office, but was president and chief executive officer of the world’s seventh-biggest auto parts manufacturer a company founded by her father called Magna International.

An offshoot, Magna Entertainment Corp., controls 13 racetracks including some of the most prominent courses in the United States, such as Santa Anita in Los Angeles and Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.

In 2002, Magna Entertainment purchased the Maryland Jockey Club for $117.5 million, giving it control of Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, the host track for the Preakness Stakes.

Mrs. Stronach herself is the only female chief executive outside the United States to feature on the Fortune Global 500 index of the world’s wealthiest individuals, and she cites that experience as evidence that she is ready to run a country.

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