Ontario Liberals in mid-town Toronto's St. Paul's riding have selected a high-profile doctor to run for them in a forthcoming byelections.
Dr. Eric Hoskins, founder of War Child Canada, has treated children in war zones ranging from Darfur to Iraq. He once served as an adviser to one-time federal Liberal cabinet minister Lloyd Axworthy.
He ran unsuccessfully in Haldiman-Norfolk riding against Conservative cabinet minister Diane Finley in the 2008 federal election.
At Wednesday night's nomination meeting, Hoskins beat out two others -- Charles Finlay, a lawyer and social activist, and Judith Moses, who has held senior government jobs at the provincial and federal levels.
Hoskins' hope is to hold the seat for the provincial Liberals.
Michael Bryant, who resigned from his post as economic development minister to head Invest Toronto, had won by about 8,000 votes in the 2007 provincial election.
The provincial Progressive Conservatives, who finished second in the 2007 race, plan to anoint Sue-Ann Levy, city columnist for the Toronto Sun newspaper.
The NDP will hold a nomination meeting on Sept. 9.
The Greens selected realtor and community activist Chris Chopik at its Wednesday night nomination meeting.
Premier Dalton McGuinty hasn't yet set a date for the byelection.
With files from The Canadian Press
