Article content continued

Reducing energy costs would be a top priority for a PC government, he said, as would better transportation systems and an improved business environment by cutting red tape: the three planks that anchored his platform-less campaign. His top issue as leader? Hydro rates.

“Affordable energy is critical,” he told reporters in his first post-victory scrum. “Not only is it a quality of life (issue) when we’re living with energy poverty, but it’s a job killer. I’m really worried that if you look at some of the job losses in Ontario that it’s a direct correlation with the soaring energy prices.”

Affordable energy is critical

To oppose the government, he will also need to win a seat, and resign as the MP for Barrie. No MPP has yet stepped forward to offer him a seat to run for, and he wouldn’t tell reporters when he would officially quite the House of Commons, just that it would be “soon.”

Tim Hudak’s Niagara West-Glanbrook riding is a fairly safe Tory seat and the former leader might be ready to leave the Pink Palace, so that’s one option.

Brown not only has to win his place at Queen’s Park, but his colleagues’ hearts.

Deep divisions emerged throughout the race to succeed Tim Hudak, who stepped down after losing last June’s election to the Ontario Liberals and Premier Kathleen Wynne.

The bulk of the provincial caucus backed Elliott, but Brown built a new coalition outside the traditional party establishment. Rifts emerged over the Liberals’ new sex ed curriculum, with Brown supporters strongly against it and Elliott supporters taking a more centrist tone, but still saying they support parents who felt they weren’t sufficiently consulted.

Brown refused to tell reporters if he would repeal it or alter it if her took power in 2018, just that parents are concerned.

I am confident PCs will united behind Patrick’s leadership

Some party members who backed Elliott have said they don’t think they could campaign for him, and there’s already talk some MPPs might not run under his banner. Brown sweeping mandate might change more than a few minds, however. Several Tory MPPs said the task now is to beat the Liberals, not fight each other and any suggestion people wouldn’t run for Brown was pre-result “hyperbole.”

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or

“The broader electorate in Ontario is extremely centrist,” said Bozinoff.

A bigger, more diverse PC party has emerged from the race, but the Liberals are already trying to paint Brown as a dark blue, secret social conservative — as John Wright, senior vice-president with Ipsos Reid said Friday they would.

“Patrick Brown is so out-of-touch and right-wing that he makes Tim Hudak and Rob Ford look progressive,” said Liberal MPP Steven Del Duca in a press release Liberal staffers handed to reporters as Brown’s supporters were still cheering his victory.

Brown said it shows the governing party is “scared” of his “pragmatic conservatism.” And while many were crowing on Twitter that the Liberals now have a shot at a Bill Davis style run at office because Brown is such an unknown, a few wise voices pointed out nobody ever though Harris, former premier Dalton McGuinty or Wynne could win province-wide and they did.