Ontario PC executive to set date, rules for leadership convention

TORONTO – The executive of Ontario’s Progressive Conservative party meets today to talk about details for their upcoming
leadership race.

There are differing opinions in the Tory ranks about whether the party should hold a relatively quick leadership convention next January or February or wait a year or longer to provide time to rebuild and work on new policies.

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Sources tell The Canadian Press that a group of grassroots Conservatives is urging the executive to wait as long as possible so potential candidates have a chance to look for support and test their fundraising abilities.

IN DEPTH: Ontario election 2014

Interim PC Leader Jim Wilson, who was elected by the caucus as caretaker this week to replace Tim Hudak following the Tories’
second election loss under his leadership, has said he’d like to see a convention held “sooner rather than later.”

The lack of consensus may prevent the PC executive from setting a convention date today, but if they do, they’ll also have to
determine a date for cutting off membership sales and set a spending limit for candidates.