MPP Monte McNaughton is out of the Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership contest. The London-area MPP says he will be endorsing Barrie MP Patrick Brown for leader of the party. That means the race is down to two people, Brown and deputy PC leader Christine Elliott, the widow of former finance minister Jim Flaherty. McNaughton says Brown will reform the party, and has “the energy and ability” to bring thousands of new members from different backgrounds into the Tory fold. McNaughton says he looks forward to spending more time with his family. PC party members across the province will vote for the new leader on May 3 and 7, using preferential ballots, with the results to be announced at a convention in Toronto on May 9.
