Longtime Tory cabinet minister Tony Clement says he will be making a “important announcement” on Tuesday, fuelling speculation he will be throwing his hat into the ring for leadership of the federal Conservative party. To date, only former Conservative ministers Michael Chong, Kellie Leitch and Maxime Bernier have officially entered the leadership race. Fellow longtime Tory minister Jason Kenney, who would have been a front-runner in the contest, announced this week he is leaving federal politics to seek the leadership of the Alberta Progressive Conservative party. Clement, whose portfolios have included president of the Treasury Board, was a candidate for the leadership of the Conservative party after its formation from the merger of the Progressive Conservative and Canadian Alliance parties in 2003. Clement, the MP for the Ontario riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka, has long been considered a possible candidate in the race to replace former prime minister Stephen Harper.

Source: National Post July 08, 2016 21:56 UTC