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Former cabinet minister Jim Wilson will be the interim leader of Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives, replacing Tim Hudak who resigns today after leading the party to defeat in two elections.

Wilson, who was health minister under former premier Mike Harris, was elected interim leader this morning during a meeting of the PC caucus.

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He’ll stay on the job until the Tories can hold a leadership race and schedule a convention to pick their next leader.

The party’s deputy leader, Christine Elliott, is the only PC who has officially announced her intention to run so far.

“It’s going to take experienced leadership,” she said. “I believe, in fact, I know, that I am ready to provide that experienced leadership.”

Prior to her political career, she worked as a real estate and corporate lawyer in Whitby. She is well known for her work in advocating for people with special needs as well as mental health services.

Elliott is the widow of former federal finance minister Jim Flaherty.

Wilson isn’t the only one getting a new job today as the legislature returns for the first time since the June 12 election.

Members of the legislature will elect a new Speaker this afternoon after all 107 MPPs are sworn in this morning, including Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Liberals Dave Levac — who held the position before the election was called — and Shafiq Qaadri are running, but Progressive Conservative Rick Nicholls and New Democrats Paul Miller and Cheri DiNovo also want the job.

With files from the National Post