TORONTO - Progressive Conservative Frank Klees is denying reports that he's reconsidering running for Speaker of the Ontario legislature.
Klees says he's as committed to his bid now as he was the day he first announced it, and never wanted to back out.
He says he's simply making calls to assess the kind of support he'll have, and is hoping to have between 40 and 50 members support him by either Friday or the end of the weekend.
Klees says he's received promises of support from several Tories and Liberals, but isn't courting any New Democrats because he has been told that caucus is under strict instructions to vote against him.
And while he hasn't formally secured anyone to nominate or second his candidacy, Klees says he will have someone in place by the time of the election.
Klees did acknowledge, however, that to be an effective Speaker he must have the confidence of the House, adding that if he finds that is not the case, only then will he think about reconsidering.
If Klees wins the Speaker post, the Tories and the NDP will lose their majority of 54 seats, ending up with 53 seats between them -- the same as the governing Liberals.
