Despite the resignation of leader Patrick Brown last week, the Ontario PC Party will move forward in its bid to unseat Premier Kathleen Wynne this June.
At least that’s the goal, according to Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott and Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece.
On Jan. 26, shortly after the PC Party caucus selected Vic Fedeli as its interim leader, Pettapiece issued a press release stating the Nipissing MPP “will be a very effective leader and spokesperson for our party.”
Pettapiece added, “Our caucus is united in standing behind him.”
The party also announced it will hold an election open to all members on March 24 to select a leader to run in the June 7 election.
Former Toronto city councillor Doug Ford is the only candidate who has announced intentions of running as of the Advertiser deadline.
The PC Party was left scrambling to find a new leader after Brown resigned on Jan. 25 amid allegations of sexual improprieties revealed the previous day by CTV News.
Two women, not identified by CTV, allege that Brown, when he was a Conservative MP, provided them with alcohol and made unwanted sexual advances.
The alleged incidents occurred in 2012 and earlier, when the women were teenagers – and one was under the legal drinking age.
The allegations have not been proven in court and police officials in Barrie, where the alleged incidents occurred, have confirmed they have not received any official complaints against Brown.
Arnott said if the allegations are true, Brown had “no choice” but to resign.
“No one should be treated that way, obviously,” Arnott told the Advertiser on Jan. 25.
Pettapiece and Arnott supported a statement issued shortly after Brown’s resignation by PC deputy leaders Sylvia Jones and Steve Clark.
“Mr. Brown is entitled to a legal defense and due process, but he cannot lead us into an election as a result of these allegations,” the statement reads.
Jones and Clark stressed the need “to eradicate sexual violence and harassment across the province,” and concluded the PC Party “will not be diverted from our mission to ensure our strong team can share our message of change.”
Arnott added, “we have a job to do in the legislature … when it resumes sitting (on March 10).”
Pettapiece echoed that sentiment, stating in a press release, “As MPP, my top priority will continue to be the people I am privileged to represent.”
Arnott acknowledged Brown’s resignation is a significant setback for his party, particularly with less than five months until the election.
But moving forward starts with choosing an interim leader, Arnott said, followed by a leadership election.
