I think it's more like a farewell to arms judging from rightwing comments posted here daily. They use the word "progressive" as a derogatory slur on anyone who has the audacity to use facts and reason  to prove his or her point. 
I don't think they will accept a progressive leader, even if there is one or two in the bunch. 
Fortunately though, we have a much better educated population in Canada than in the US, and are less religious, so it's unlikely the regressive conservatives will ever gain a majority again.