(OTTAWA) While the Conservative Party of Canada leadership race may still have only one contender, its MPs are being urged to meet a potential second candidate.
Posted at 6:26 p.m.
Former Quebec Premier Jean Charest will be in Ottawa this week to discuss party leadership with Conservative MPs at an event hosted by two people who want him to run.
Quebec MP Alain Rayes and Nova Scotia MP Rick Perkins are among the signatories of an open letter released last week in which they want the 63-year-old to enter the race.
A copy of the invitation obtained by The Canadian Press invites Conservative MPs to meet with Mr. Charest on Wednesday evening to discuss the position of party leader.
A spokesperson for Mr. Rayes’ office confirmed that Mr. Charest will be in Ottawa on Wednesday and says that over the past few weeks several MPs and senators have expressed an interest in speaking to him, which explains the organization of the ‘event.
So far, only high-profile Tory MP Pierre Poilievre has declared his intention to run for party leader after a majority of MPs voted to oust former leader Erin O’Toole last month.
No date has yet been set for the race, as the party leader’s election committee has not yet decided on the duration of the race and the criteria for participation.