Doug Ford makes the announcement that he will not be running for the leadership of the Ontario Conservative Party at his family's company Deco labels in Etobicoke, Thursday morning. - Staff photo/IAN KELSO
Doug Ford makes ‘difficult decision’ to not seek Ontario Progressive Conservative Party leadership
In what he characterized as the "most difficult decision" of his life, Doug Ford announced today that he will not be running for the leadership of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party.
Doug Ford makes the announcement that he will not be running for the leadership of the Ontario Conservative Party at his family's company Deco labels in Etobicoke, Thursday morning. - Staff photo/IAN KELSO
In what he characterized as the "most difficult decision" of his life, Doug Ford announced today that he will not be running for the leadership of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party.
"(This decision) was tougher than deciding whether to run for mayor, to run for council, or any decision I’ve ever made," Ford, the runner-up in last month’s mayoral election, said at a press conference this morning in Etobicoke outside his family business, Deco Labels and Tags.
"This, by far, is the toughest decision. I decided right up to literally last night. I know my priority is my family; my priority is our business. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be there for the people of Ontario, making sure we have proper government running this province."
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While Ford said he is confident any one of the five other candidates in the race for the PC leadership – including MPPs Christine Elliott (Whitby-Oshawa), Vic Fedeli (Nipissing), Lisa MacLeod (Nepean-Carleton) and Monte McNaughton (Lambton-Kent-Middlesex), and MP Patrick Brown (Barrie) – "would do a much better job than what we have right now in the province," he singled out Elliott, a longtime family friend and the widow of former Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty, as the candidate he’ll be throwing his support behind.
"Loyalty means everything to us," he said, noting how Elliott and Flaherty supported brother Rob in his bid for the Toronto mayoralty four years ago. "Christine is an extremely, extremely bright individual, and she can drive this province forward, and yes, I’d be supporting Christine Elliott."
Meanwhile, Ford said while he will be taking a "little break" from politics, he will not rule out another run for office in the future – including potentially following in the footsteps of his late father, Doug Ford Sr. (who served as MPP for now-abolished riding of Etobicoke—Humber from 1995-1999), and throwing his hat in the ring to become the next for Etobicoke North.
"I love politics; I love serving the people. I just think at this stage in my life, I’ve gotta just take a little break. I wouldn’t rule out a municipal politics, but I’d really like to target the province," he said.
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"There’s going to be an election in three-and-a-half years. Etobicoke North is the greatest area in the city, in my opinion, and I want to reach out to everyone in Etobicoke North. Our family is so grateful and so thankful for the ongoing support through good times and bad times. Maybe one day I’ll be serving them as MPP."
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