TORONTO – As the Ontario legislature resumes sitting today for the final session before a spring election, all eyes will be on Patrick Brown – if the former Progressive Conservative leader shows up to take his set.
The 39-year-old politician from Barrie, Ont., will have to sit as an independent after being booted out of the Tory caucus last week – just hours before he declared his intention to run for his old job.
READ MORE: Internal Ontario PC Party turmoil in spotlight as legislature resumes on Tuesday
He stepped down from the leadership late last month amid allegations of sexual misconduct, but has since mounted a campaign to clear his name.
He has threatened to sue CTV News, which reported the allegations, but the network has said it stands by its reporting.
VIDEO: Patrick Brown says removal from leadership race would be unconstitutional
READ MORE: Former Ontario PC leader Patrick Brown says he grew the party, so he should lead it
Brown’s entry into the leadership race threatens to overshadow his opponents – Toronto lawyer Caroline Mulroney, former Toronto councillor Doug Ford, former Tory legislator Christine Elliott and social conservative activist Tanya Granic Allen.
Online voting takes place early next month, with the winner to be announced March 10.
The Tory turmoil comes as all three parties gear up for a general election set for June 7.
VIDEO: Brown says sexual misconduct allegations are politically motivated
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