Former immigration minister Chris Alexander says he is “actively considering a bid to lead the Conservative Party of Canada.”

Alexander told CTV’s Laura Payton that he is “excited by all the exchanges I’m having about how to renew and reinvigorate our party.”

The former ambassador to Afghanistan was considered a rising star in the Conservative Party.

He was appointed Minister of Citizenship and Immigration only two years after winning the suburban Toronto riding of Ajax-Pickering.

However, he faced a barrage of criticism over his handling of the Syrian refugee file, at one point hanging up on radio show host who pressed him on how many Syrian refugees had entered Canada.

He was also mocked by the Liberals for introducing a “barbaric cultural practices" tip line during last year’s election campaign. He announced the program alongside Kellie Leitch, who has already declared her candidacy for the leadership.

Other candidates in the race so far include Maxime Bernier, Michael Chong, Tony Clement, Brad Trost and Deepak Obhrai.

The vote will take place on May, 27, 2017.