Lisa MacLeod launches Ontario PC Party leadership bid

Nepean-Carleton MPP Lisa MacLeod wants to take the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party back to the future.

That was the message Sunday as MacLeod officially announced her bid to become party leader before 300 cheering supporters at the National Arts Centre. She joins four other contenders campaigning for the May 9 vote to succeed Tim Hudak, who resigned following June’s provincial election defeat.

Lisa MacLeod spent much of the last provincial election at the right hand of then-leader Tim Hudak and one of the challenges she’ll face in her bid for leadership will be striking out on her own.

MacLeod has been MPP for Nepean Carleton since a by-election in 2006 and has championed issues of public safety, the survival of harness-racing and the prevention of fentanyl use and overdose among young people here in Ottawa.

She’s served as critic on the files of Treasury Board issues, education, energy and revenue and accountability.

Also running for the PC leadership are MPPs Christine Elliott, Vic Fedeli, Monte McNoughton and MP Patrick Brown.

The vote will be held in early May 2015 with the results announced on May 9.

Agencies/Canadajournal