Former Ontario Tory leader Patrick Brown attempts political comeback in Brampton
TORONTO — Patrick Brown is down, but he may not be out yet.
The embattled politician, who was forced to resign as leader of Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives months before the party won a majority government, is trying to resurrect his political career with a run for mayor in Brampton, a fast-growing city northwest of Toronto where over 70 per cent of residents identify as visible minorities.
Brown faces an uphill battle against incumbent Mayor Linda Jeffrey, a former Liberal cabinet minister who has the support of high-profile politicians from major parties, including some of Brown’s former colleagues.
The 40-year-old’s foray into city politics followed a short-lived campaign to become chair of Peel Region, an elected position Premier Doug Ford, who succeeded Brown as Tory leader, abruptly turned into an appointed role just three months shy of Monday’s municipal election.