Kitchener-Waterloo

Tanya Granic Allen is not running for Cambridge PC nomination, sources say

Tanya Granic Allen, who finished fourth in the Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership race, says she's not running for the Cambridge riding.

Riding officials say there are three people on the ballot, including Granic Allen. She says that's not true.

Tanya Granic Allen, attends the PC leadership debate at TVO studios in Toronto on February 15, 2018. (David Donnelly/CBC)

Rob Leone, riding president for Cambridge and the area's former MPP, told CBC News Sunday afternoon that Tanya Granic Allen, who finished fourth in the Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership race, will not run in the riding of Cambridge North Dumfries. 

"Tanya has reached out to let me know she will not seek the Cambridge nomination," Leone said. 

Leone said he only found out about the news on Sunday afternoon, despite Granic Allen informing party members of her decision last week.  

"We hadn't heard that locally. Party was transitioning last week so the dots weren't connected," Leone said. 

Granic Allen previously called a CBC K-W report that she is a candidate in the riding "fake news" on Twitter.

Granic Allen finished fourth in the PC leadership race to replace Patrick Brown, who stepped down amid sexual misconduct allegations. Doug Ford won the leadership.

Nomination meeting postponed

Riding officials confirmed to CBC K-W there were three people on the ballot: Sunny Attwal, Bert Laranjo and Granic Allen.

The nomination meeting, scheduled for March 24, was cancelled by the party on Thursday. A new date has not been set.

"No more details are available about the nomination, so I can't confirm what will happen until those details are available," said Leone.  

Plans not finalized

On Friday, Granic Allen's spokesperson Mike Patton said in an email, "I can assure you that Mrs. Granic Allen has yet to inform any riding association of her intent to run in that riding."

When asked about riding officials saying Granic Allen is on the ballot in Cambridge, Patton responded by saying, "Don't know where they are getting their information from but it is not Tanya."