Decision on whether Brown can run in Ontario Tory leadership race expected Wednesday

TORONTO – Patrick Brown is expected to find out today whether he will be able to continue his bid to lead Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives.

The former Opposition leader stepped down from the job last month amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

READ MORE: Patrick Brown expected to learn on Wednesday if bid for Tory leadership can proceed

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The 39-year-old Barrie, Ont., politician is now fighting an uphill battle against the party brass to reclaim his old job ahead of a spring general election.

A nomination committee met with Brown on Tuesday night and will decide if he should be allowed to run as a Tory candidate.

READ MORE: Former Ontario PC leader Patrick Brown says he grew the party, so he should lead it

Other candidates vying for Brown’s former job – Christine Elliott, Doug Ford and Tanya Granic Allen – were also expected be interviewed by the committee as part of a vetting process that will look at their social media posts, previous jobs and criminal history.

Caroline Mulroney, who is running in the York-Simcoe riding, has already been vetted as a candidate for the top job.

Sources say sitting legislators are not subject to the vetting process, but that rule does not apply to Brown, who was removed from the Tory caucus on Friday.

VIDEO: Patrick Brown calls Randy Hillier’s complaint ‘garbage’






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