Murray throws name into race

Former Ontario cabinet minister, Glen Murray, is the first official candidate for the leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.

Murray made the announcement at Maple Leaf Gardens in downtown Toronto Sunday morning, the day after resigning from his post as minister of training, colleges and universities. The place of the announcement is significant as it will also be the host facility for the Liberal convention in January where the new leader will be chosen.

He was only elected to the Ontario Legislature after he was elected to during a 2010 byelection in Toronto, but used his tenure as mayor of Winnipeg between 1998-2004 as evidence of his political credentials.

Another former Liberal cabinet minister who could face off against Murray is Kathleen Wynne, who resigned from her role in cabinet earlier this week. She’s expected to formally announce her run for leader on Monday.

Ontario premier, Dalton McGuinty, announced his resignation two-weeks ago after nine-years in office. The Liberals have faced much scrutiny over a number of issues including the financial handling of the province’s air ambulance service, ORNGE, and the cancelling of two gas-fired power plants in Oakville and Mississauga.