By Chad Ingram

Published March 7 2017

A number of Ontario Progressive Conservative MPPs including Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott have endorsed Durham MP Erin O’Toole in his bid for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada.

Ten PC MPPs recently voiced their support for O’Toole a lawyer and former air force captain who was first elected to Parliament in 2012 and has served as the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Parliament Secretary for International Trade.
“Both Erin and I grew up in small town Ontario” Scott said in a release. “We were raised with many of the same values including the importance of family service to community and hard work. While Erin has a long list of impressive professional accomplishments he also remains authentic and humble which makes him relatable to so many Canadians. That’s the kind of leadership we need for our party’s future.”

Born in Montreal O’Toole was raised in Port Perry and Bowmanville where he continues to live.
Alberta MP Rona Ambrose who served in a number of cabinet positions during the years of the Stephen Harper government was voted the party’s interim leader after Harper resigned following his defeat to Justin Trudeau in the 2015 federal election.

There’s a large field of 14 candidates vying to become the next leader of the Conservative party.
A recent Forum Research poll indicated that tycoon television personality Kevin O’Leary is the front runner in the race followed by longtime Quebec MP and former cabinet minister Maxime Bernier.
Members of the Conservative party will choose their next leader on May 27.