A tumultuous day has seen Patrick Brown kicked out of the PC Party of Ontario caucus and then witnessed Mr. Brown file papers just before the 5 p.m. deadline to run for leader of the party in the voting which will take place electronically between March 2 and March 8. What other cards remain to be played before party members actually vote. Global News says it has spoken to an unnamed “senior party official’ who said that while Brown can run as a candidate, his bid will be quashed before the vote. It is unlikely, said this source, that when the party reviews Brown’s application for his Barrie area riding at a later date, that the candidacy will be endorsed. That, said the source, will end his leadership bid. Have his former colleagues conspired at a strategy to get rid of Brown before his candidacy can confuse the voting? Most candidates for leader, Christine Elliott and Caroline Mulroney for two — concentrated on their own ability to defeat the Wynne Liberals. But Doug Ford issued a statement searing the former leader. It said the party was better off without Brown as leader. “This is as distraction, Ontario deserves better,” said Ford. PC leadership hopefuls slam Patrick Brown’s move to join race for top job
