A Winnipeg doctor has thrown his hat in the ring to replace Stephen Harper as the leader of the federal Conservatives.

Dan Lindsay announced his intention to run for the leadership on Wednesday, saying he had the support of Alberta Senator Betty Unger and Quebec doctor Francois Theriault.

Lindsay is the president elect of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba and has done five tours as a civilian medical specialist with the Canadian Armed Forces, including in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

On Wednesday, news broke that former prime minister Stephen Harper would bow out of federal politics before Parliament resumes in the fall.

The Conservative Party begins its national convention in Vancouver on Thursday.