OTTAWA — Ontario Conservative MP Scott Aitchison says he is running for his party’s leadership in a bid to bring an end to the hyper-partisan antics and political games that are the norm now in Canadian politics.
Aitchison is launching his campaign today at a local craft brewery in his hometown of Huntsville, Ont.
He says he will run a campaign free of attacks and focused on the economy, national and global security, climate change and housing.
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The 49-year-old former mayor of Huntsville is at least the eighth candidate in the race, including fellow MPs Pierre Poilievre and Leslyn Lewis, Brampton, Ont., Mayor Patrick Brown, and former Quebec premier Jean Charest.
The Conservatives are choosing their third leader in five years after Erin O’Toole was voted out of the job by the Conservative caucus in early February.
The candidates have until April 19 to enter the race and the vote will take place Sept. 10.
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Scott Aitchison is the MP for Parry Sound-Muskoka in central Ontario. (House of Commons)
