The deputy leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives and widow of former federal finance minister Jim Flaherty will run for her party's leadership.
Christine Elliott, the MPP for the Whitby-Oshawa riding, is expected to make the announcement on Wednesday. If she is elected, she will replace outgoing PC Leader Tim Hudak, who will officially step down on July 2, the day the legislature returns under a Liberal majority government.
The Conservatives, under Hudak's leadership, lost nine seats in the recent provincial election. After losing, Hudak announced he would not lead the Tories into the next election, but will remain as the MPP for the riding of Niagara West-Glanbrook.
Elliott, who entered politics after winning a byelection in 2006, is also the critic for the ministry of health and long-term care and mental health reform. She ran against Hudak for leadership of the party in 2009, finishing third behind runner-up Frank Klees.
Prior to entering politics, Christine was a partner at Flaherty Dow Elliott and McCarthy, a litigation firm that was cofounded by her husband.
Elliott is a graduate of Western University and has practiced real estate, corporate and estate law.
