OTTAWA - Conservative MP Michael Chong says he's not running for leadership of his party.
Chong, who is perhaps best known as one of the few Conservatives in favour of a carbon tax, says now is not the time for him to enter the race.
He sought the top job in 2017, but his departure from party orthodoxy on the environment was a controversial position and he finished fifth.
He told The Canadian Press that on the environment, and some other issues, his party is still evolving in its approach and he hopes that work continues.
He says he's hoping the next leader of the party will restore Canada's place in the world when it comes to meeting international commitments on climate change, foreign aid and defence spending.
Chong, who has represented a rural Ontario riding since 2004, is the latest potential contender to back out of the leadership race.
A list of Conservative leadership hopefuls
OTTAWA - The Conservative leadership race is underway and the deadline to register as a candidate and meet the first round of requirements is Feb. 27.
These candidates are officially registered with the party:
— Peter MacKay: former Progressive Conservative leader, Conservative cabinet minister and longtime MP from Nova Scotia, who now lives in Toronto.
These candidates have submitted their applications to the party:
— Marilyn Gladu: Conservative MP for Ontario riding of Sarnia-Lambton, formerly a professional engineer.
— Erin O'Toole: former Conservative cabinet minister and current MP from the Toronto-area riding of Durham. Ran in the 2017 race.
These candidates have declared they intend to run:
— Richard Decarie: political aide under former Conservative leader Stephen Harper while in opposition, helped run Harper's Quebec operations.
— Jim Karahalios: Ontario lawyer, led a fight in that province to get the carbon tax out of former PC Party leader Patrick Brown's platform.
— Leslyn Lewis: Ontario lawyer.
— Rick Peterson: Alberta businessman, candidate in 2017 leadership campaign.
— Aron Seal: former director of policy for two Conservative cabinet ministers.
— Bobby Singh: entrepreneur and Conservative candidate in 2019 election in riding of Scarborough-Rouge Park.
— Derek Sloan: Conservative MP for the Ontario riding of Hastings-Lennox and Addington.
Others, in alphabetical order, who are considering bids:
— Candice Bergen: Conservative MP from Manitoba, current Opposition House Leader.
— Michelle Rempel Garner: Conservative MP for the riding of Calgary Nose Hill.
— Rudy Husny: longtime Quebec operative for the Conservative party, and businessman.
— Vincenzo Guzzo: movie-theatre mogul from Quebec who also stars in the reality-TV program "Dragons' Den."
— John Williamson: Conservative MP from New Brunswick, former head of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.