Longtime Conservative MP Tony Clement says he'll make a "special announcement" next Tuesday in Mississauga, raising speculation he'll run to lead the party.
Clement was said to be considering a run. He's previously run to lead the federal Conservatives, losing to Stephen Harper, as well as the Ontario Progressive Conservatives, when he lost to Ernie Eves.
Earlier this week, high-profile and well-connected Conservative MP Jason Kenney said he wants to make a run for the Alberta Progressive Conservative leadership. Kenney's move to provincial politics takes one of the strongest contenders out of the federal Conservative leadership race.
Clement is a former minister of health, as well as minister of industry and Treasury Board president. He weathered a storm of controversy as the person in charge of ending the mandatory long-form census, a move the Liberals reversed as soon as they took office last November. As Treasury Board president, he struck a hard line against public sector unions.
Clement represents Ontario's Parry Sound-Muskoka riding in the House of Commons. He was first elected in 2006 after losing a 2004 federal race. Clement was a member of the Ontario legislature for eight years.
The Conservative leadership race is just getting underway, with the winner to be selected next May. Current MPs Kellie Leitch, Michael Chong and Maxime Bernier have launched campaigns. Other possible contenders include MPs Lisa Raitt and Andrew Scheer, as well as former cabinet minister Peter MacKay, who left politics last year.
