Not to be outdone by the Liberal leadership convention, the leaders of the two main Opposition parties are crossing the country to unite the right. But, festivities for prime-minister-in-waiting Paul Martin are casting a long shadow.

Canadian Alliance Leader Stephen Harper and Progressive Conservative Leader Peter MacKay were in Edmonton on Thursday promoting a new, united party of the right and urging Canadians to help them overthrow the ruling Liberals.

Still, the leadership convention being held in Toronto that will see Martin crowned leader of the Liberal Party dogged the leaders.

"We just have this bizarre spectacle ... with two prime ministers neither with an agenda for the country," said Harper.

MacKay wasn't impressed by the event either, which saw Prime Minister Jean Chretien give his last speech as Liberal leader.

"It's an audacious affront to have Parliament shut down while this farcical leadership convention is taking place," MacKay said.

Harper and MacKay attended fundraising dinners for their respective parties but made quick appearances at each other's event.

Both leaders were focused on selling the merits of uniting the right under the banner of the proposed Conservative Party.

"The message is to get involved and play a part, and shape the direction and policy of this new Conservative Party. This is very much a reconciliation of conservatism," MacKay told about 200 supporters at the Tory fundraiser.

Harper warned the new party must welcome a wide range of conservative opinions and challenged those opposed to the merger.

"The new Conservative Party will not just hold everything the Alliance has had in Alberta, I think we stand an excellent chance of simply wiping the Liberals off the electoral map entirely in this province," Harper told the 275 people at the Alliance dinner.

The leaders stop in Edmonton followed a raucous demonstration in Vancouver on Wednesday, where 50 Tory protesters opposed to the merger gathered outside a party luncheon.

Last month, MacKay and Harper announced a tentative deal to merge the Tories and Alliance.

MacKay has said that this week's tour is key to selling the merger to Conservative party members. Anyone who wants to have a say in the deal must have a membership by the end of this week.

Members of the Tories and Alliance will vote Dec. 6 on the merger plan. If ratified, the new party will select a national leader in March.