Article content

OTTAWA – Conservative parliamentarians and long-time Tory operatives sitting on the sidelines of the leadership contest are anxiously hoping MP Erin O’Toole will jump into the race, believing he’s the best candidate to broaden party support and defeat the Liberals.

Momentum for O’Toole is building as some recent signs suggest longtime cabinet minister Peter MacKay, considered a possible frontrunner, might decide to stay out.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or MP Erin O’Toole quickly emerging as preferred leadership hopeful for many Conservatives Back to video

O’Toole, a former cabinet minister in the late stages of the Harper government, is expected to decide in a matter of days, according to a source familiar with his plans.

Party leadership races are far from an exact science, but a growing number of Conservative members of Parliament and organizers says the affable MP for Durham checks most of the boxes the party needs in its next leader.

O’Toole is young (43), from Ontario, married with two young kids. He represents a riding in the Greater Toronto Area, but lives in a small community and has rural sensibilities.