O’TOOLE TAKES FIRST STEP TOWARD TORY LEADERSHIP BID

Erin O’Toole, a prominent Ontario Tory MP and former cabinet minister, announced late Thursday he’s officially exploring a Conservative party leadership bid as he rounds up considerable caucus support for his expected candidacy. He resigned from his role as the Conservative public safety critic to “explore a run for leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada,” according to a letter he sent to interim Tory leader Rona Ambrose. It’s believed the 43-year-old will formally announce in the coming weeks a leadership bid that is already garnering backing from several Conservative parliamentarians across Canada. O’Toole was veterans affairs minister in the late stages of Stephen Harper’s government and is seen as having widespread appeal to MPs in caucus and Conservative party members.