Wynne changes course, gives PC leader chance to run in early byelection

The announcement saw Wynne change course after recently rejecting Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown’s request for an early byelection in the riding.

Thestar.com
Aug. 1, 2015

Premier Kathleen Wynne is about to call a byelection that will give the leader of the Opposition a chance to seek a seat in the Ontario legislature.

Wynne said during an appearance in Penetanguishene on Saturday that she would call the byelection in Simcoe North next week for Sept. 3.

The announcement saw Wynne change course after recently rejecting Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown’s request for an early byelection in the riding.

Wynne initially said she would wait until after the Oct. 19 federal election campaign was over, but now says she doesn’t want to stand in the way of Brown’s willingness to contest a byelection during a federal writ period. Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to set the Oct. 19 federal election campaign in motion Sunday.

On July 22, veteran Simcoe North Tory MPP Garfield Dunlop announced that he would step aside on Aug. 1 so the new PC leader could run.

Brown wrote an open letter to Wynne urging her to schedule the byelection in August so he could be in the legislature in time for the fall session.

He resigned his seat in Parliament as the MP for Barrie after he won the provincial PC leadership in May, and Wynne said at the time she would call a byelection “as soon as he can find a riding” in which to run.