Skip to main content

Doug Ford addresses the media on Nov 27 2014, where he announced he would not be seeking the leadership of the provincial Conservative party.

The divisive older brother of Toronto's famous mayor will not make a bid for the premier's office.

Doug Ford ended weeks of speculation Thursday morning, convening a news conference to announce he will not run for the Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership. He said he only made up his mind the night before.

"It's been the most difficult decision of my entire life," Mr. Ford said outside Deco Labels and Tags, the family business in a north Etobicoke industrial park. "I apologize to all our supporters, my family, especially my brother Rob."

Mr. Ford, who finished second to John Tory in last month's mayoral race, said he needed a break from politics. He added that he might seek elected office again in future.

Mr. Ford endorsed PC MPP Christine Elliott for the leadership. Ms. Elliott and her late husband, federal finance minister Jim Flaherty, have long been family friends of the Fords. It was not entirely clear how far in advance the endorsement was planned: Ms. Elliott was not at the announcement, and Mr. Ford did not mention he was endorsing her until asked by reporters.

Ms. Elliott's campaign said she found out not long beforehand.

"Christine found out shortly before his news conference.  Doug called Christine to let her know.  It was neither solicited, nor expected, but it is appreciated and the campaign welcomes his support," a campaign spokesman wrote in an email.

Privately, some Tories heaved a sigh of relief at Mr. Ford's decision. During his term as a city councillor, which ends next week, his aggressive style helped ensure Mayor Rob Ford's administration often failed to get its agenda through at city hall. Doug Ford had trouble working with others, and picked fights with everyone from Police Chief Bill Blair to PC fundraiser Andy Pringle to various councillors.

When Mr. Ford mused earlier this year about running for the Etobicoke-North seat in the June provincial election, some Tories worked quietly behind the scenes to talk him out of it. According to one PC insider, then leader Tim Hudak's chief of staff ultimately persuaded Mr. Ford that it was more important for him to help the mayor with his re-election campaign. Many Tories feared Mr. Ford's unpredictable nature – and the drug scandals engulfing his brother – would distract from the party's message.

Mr. Ford has consistently denied anyone in the PC party pressured him not to run.

Ultimately, Mr. Ford took his brother's place on the ballot when the mayor quit his re-election bid in September to seek treatment for cancer.

Publicly, leadership contenders were swift to praise him on Thursday.

"I will take him up on his offer to help rebuild our party, to bring in new members, particularly in Toronto," MPP Lisa MacLeod said.

"I thought he would draw some excitement to the race," added MPP Monte McNaughton.

Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne offered an understated response when asked about Mr. Ford. "We are certainly different people," she told reporters during an unrelated photo-opportunity at Maple Leaf Gardens earlier in the morning. "I think that decorum and civil debate is very, very important."

Tory members vote for a leader in May. Also running are MPP Vic Fedeli and federal MP Patrick Brown.

Mr. Ford, for his part, was unusually sedate Thursday. He even paid tribute to the city's media, whom his brother once famously referred to as "maggots" in a radio broadcast. "Thank you very much – we had a good ride with the press," he said. "We've had our ups and downs, but all of you have been very classy."

With a report from the Canadian Press

Follow related authors and topics

Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following.

Interact with The Globe