Patrick Brown has officially joined the race to lead the federal Conservatives.
Brown launched his campaign in Brampton, Ont., where he has served as mayor since 2018.
Brown’s political roots run deep in Brampton, and it’s a part of the country where Conservatives know they need to grow their support if they hope to form government.
The candidate is a former member of Parliament who unceremoniously resigned as Ontario’s Progressive Conservative leader in 2018, before being elected as mayor of Brampton that same year.
Brown is the fifth candidate to enter the Conservative leadership race, already populated by former federal Progressive Conservative leader Jean Charest, Ottawa-area MP Pierre Poilievre, rookie Ontario MP Leslyn Lewis and Independent Ontario MPP Roman Baber.
Conservatives will find out who their new leader is Sept. 10.
