[url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090320.wtory20/BNSt... Clark, "PC family ties complicate Ontario leadership race," Globe and Mail, March 20, 2009[/url]
Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Julian Fantino has called some Ontario Tory organizers to see if he would have support if he ran, Conservative insiders say.Another federal minister, Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan, gauged support for his own leadership bid last week, but backed off after finding a candidacy from outside the Queen's Park caucus would get a cool response, according to several insiders.
Some Conservative organizers said they believe Commissioner Fantino has found the same reaction. But one Tory called by Commissioner Fantino said that in a contest that will be decided by a grassroots vote, rather than delegates, the commissioner could mount a candidacy based on recruiting new members who want a leader from outside the caucus and who like his law-and-order background.
I assume Fantino would have to resign/retire from the OPP before running, right?
Other contenders discussed in the article include federal Human Resources minister Diane Finley, and the widely expected campaigns by Tim Hudak and Christine Elliot.