TORONTO

Doug Ford will meet with Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP Lisa MacLeod Tuesday, amid speculation he may run for the party in a coming Scarborough byelection, the Toronto Sun has learned.

The former city councillor and mayoral candidate has spoken openly about running for a seat in the provincial legislature in the past.

But with his brother Rob Ford’s seat on city council empty following his death, speculation about his political future is running high.

Doug Ford told the Sun on Monday that it’s “too soon to say” anything about his plans, but he hasn’t ruled anything out.

“I have no comment on that right now,” he said. “It’s just too early and I just want to focus on talking care of (Rob Ford’s wife) Renata and the kids right now.”

The seat for Scarborough Rouge-River recently became open after Liberal MPP Bas Balkissoon resigned. Ford pointed out he handily won the polls in Scarborough Rouge-River (Ward 42) during the 2014 mayoral race.

“I did win that with the highest percentage outside of my own ward,” he said. “That was my strongest area outside of Etobicoke and a couple areas around it.”

He chalked the poll results up to the work he and his brother have done in Scarborough.

“We love Scarborough,” he said. “No politician anywhere — federally, provincially or municipally — have fought harder and talked more about Scarborough and was out in Scarborough more than Rob and I. Every second word out of our mouths was Scarborough.”

Ford said no one from the PCs has approached him about running, noting they are giving his family time to grieve.

Scarborough Rouge-River has been held by the Liberal Party since Alvin Curling won it in 1999. He served two terms before Balkissoon, a former city councillor, won the northeast Toronto seat in 2005. Balkissoon’s resignation was announced suddenly by Premier Kathleen Wynne in late March.

Ford said he’s watching what council decides to do with his brother’s seat. Last week, Mayor John Tory said Rob Ford’s seat will be declared vacant in early May. On the provincial side, Wynne has 60 days to trigger a byelection.

PC spokesman Tamara McGregor would not comment on Ford’s meeting with party officials. She said that PC riding nominations are decided by open votes.

sjeffords@postmedia.com