Caroline Mulroney, Christine Elliott to run for Ontario PC leadership

Caroline Mulroney, the daughter of former prime minister Brian Mulroney, will run for the Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership — a race that earlier in the day was also joined by former MPP Christine Elliott — sources with knowledge of her intentions told CBC Toronto. 

Mulroney has a law degree from New York University and work experience on Wall Street, but has never held elected office and has only rarely faced the media, though she had a quick interview with CBC's Catherine Cullen at last year's federal Conservative leadership convention.

Elliott announced "I'm in" on Twitter on Thursday afternoon, confirming earlier reporting by CBC News. Elliott ran for the party's leadership twice but was defeated by Tim Hudak, and later by Patrick Brown. Brown resigned as leader following allegations of sexual misconduct from two women. 

She is currently the province's medical patient ombudsman — a position she was appointed to by Premier Kathleen Wynne. Elliott, who was married to the late Conservative finance minister Jim Flaherty, is also a former deputy leader of the PCs and represented Whitby–Oshawa from 2006 until her resignation in 2015.

Vic Fedeli, the party's finance critic for the last five years, who also represents the northeastern Ontario riding of Nipissing, was chosen by caucus as temporary leader on Jan. 26.

However, he said Tuesday he will not run to be the permanent leader, instead pledging to fix the "rot" in his party.

• Caroline Mulroney has name, resumé and backers but leadership race will be decisive test
• ANALYSIS | Ontario PC leadership race is on: here's how it shapes up

PC MPP and energy critic Todd Smith, who had indicated he was considering a run, announced Thursday on Facebook that he would not join the race, saying "fees established by the Party executive last night are simply too high."

Under those rules, leadership candidates must submit $100,000 in fees and deposits to run, with another $25,000 due later to access the party's membership list. Each candidate's campaign spending cannot exceed $750,000.

Ontario PC leadership race | Power Panel

7 years ago

Duration 7:29

The Power Panel weighs in on Christine Elliott and Caroline Mulroney's entrance into the race.

Votes will be cast electronically between March 2 and March 8, and the results will be announced March 10. The party's leadership election organizing committee has said the Tories would stick to a one-member, one-vote rule.

Candidates — and any new members — must register with the party by Feb. 16.

• Fedeli opens up about aborted leadership bid, doubles down on 'rot' in PC infrastructure

Elliott and Mulroney join former Toronto city councillor Doug Ford in the race, who announced his bid on Monday.

On Twitter, Ford welcomed Elliot's decision to run, saying: "I look forward to talking about positive ideas for a stronger [Ontario PC Party] and how we're going to beat [Wynne]."

Asked how the upheaval in the Opposition would affect the upcoming election, Wynne said what happens with the Tories is outside of her control.

"The Tories will either be energized or depleted by their process, that's up to them," she said.

Regardless of who is chosen as leader, there will be a "strong contrast" between the two parties' policies, she said.

The Patrick Brown scandal and its impact on Ontario's election

7 years ago

Duration 2:26

The allegations against Patrick Brown and the ensuing scandal is having a stunning impact on the upcoming Ontario election. The Progressive Conservative Party has chosen to hold a snap leadership race. While the party attempts to move forward from the scandal, new details are emerging about concerns that were raised about Brown's behaviour as early as last December