leadership race" and asserting that "thousands of members have been assigned to incorrect ridings" resulting in electoral points being misallocated. However, Elliott releases a statement later that evening conceding to Ford and pledging her support for him as leader. June 7, 2018: Fixed-date of the 2018 Ontario provincial election. Debates Interim leadership Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli was elected as interim leader by the PC parliamentary caucus in a unanimous vote on January 26, 2018. Caucus had favoured having the interim leader lead the party in the election campaign but the party executive opted to hold a leadership election prior to the general election. Candidates Christine Elliott Christine Elliott, {{#expr:()-(1955)-(()<(04)or()=(04)and()<(13))}}, is the former non-partisan Patient Ombudsman for Ontario (2016–2018), a past PC leadership candidate (2009 and 2015) and former MPP (Whitby—Ajax 2006–07, Whitby—Oshawa 2007–15). She is a lawyer by training, and is the widow of former federal Minister of Finance, and 2002 and 2004 Ontario PC leadership candidate Jim Flaherty. Elliott is also a co-founder and director of the Abilities Centre, a facility for those with special needs. Elliott opposed a carbon tax, and supported building a high-speed rail line between Toronto to Windsor. Date candidacy declared: February 1, 2018 Date candidacy registered with Elections Ontario: February 7, 2018 Endorsements MPPs: (13) Ted Arnott (Wellington—Halton Hills), Lorne Coe (Whitby—Oshawa), Ernie Hardeman (Oxford), Michael Harris (Kitchener—Conestoga), Randy Hillier (Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington), Jim McDonell (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry), Sam Oosterhoff (Niagara West—Glanbrook), Randy Pettapiece (Perth—Wellington), Ross Romano (Sault Ste. Marie) Laurie Scott (Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock), Todd Smith (Prince Edward—Hastings), Bill Walker (Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound), Jim Wilson (Simcoe—Grey) MPs: (10) Dean Allison (Niagara West—Glanbrook), Michael Chong (Wellington—Halton Hills), Marilyn Gladu (Sarnia—Lambton), Peter Kent (Thornhill), Ben Lobb (Huron—Bruce), John Nater (Perth—Wellington), Alex Nuttall (Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte), Erin O'Toole (Durham), Scott Reid (Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston), David Sweet (Flamborough—Glanbrook) Senators: Municipal politicians: (17) Kevin Ashe (Pickering City Councillor for Ward 1; Deputy Mayor of Pickering), Doug Conley (Hamilton City Councillor for Ward 9), Steven Cooke (Clarington Municipal Councillor for Ward 1), Gary Crawford (Toronto City Councillor for Ward 36 Scarborough Southwest), Murray Fearrey (Reeve of Dysart et al), Pat Fortini (Brampton City Councillor for Wards 7 & 8), Angela Kennedy (Toronto Catholic District School Board Trustee for Ward 11), Jeff Knoll (Oakville Town Councillor for Ward 5), Gordon Krantz (Mayor of Milton), Natalia Lishchyna (Oakville Town Councillor for Ward 6), Bart Maves (Niagara Regional Councillor for Niagara Falls), Sandy McConkey (Springwater Township councillor for Ward