Vic Fedeli anguished over decision to quit race

The decision to drop out of the Ontario PC leadership race was a difficult one to make for Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli but he says it's the right one for the party and the people.

"I probably slept 10 hours in five days, and I'm not exaggerating," he told BayToday this afternoon. "Especially last night, there was virtually no sleep. I really was torn. I looked forward to the leadership race. It was obviously a great opportunity but at the end of the day it just could not be."

He says his wife Patti is fully supportive of the decision.

"We both anguished all night and again all morning but she's fully supportive either way no matter what. She's been at my side for every one of my four elections. We've got a fifth election coming side by side in June. We're looking forward to mounting that campaign together," he said, confirming he'll still be running for the MPP job in Nipissing come June.

Fedeli recognizes his decision is disappointing to those hoping the next premier might come from northern Ontario.

"Yup, and look, so was I. But I have to tell you in my role as interim leader I discovered that we really were not properly prepared. Sometimes you just have to do the right thing. In this case I think it was critical first of all for my party and critical for the people of Ontario that the leader make sure that all the steps are taken to make sure our party wins and that's what I have to do.

"I believe there is work for me to do 24/7 to guarantee that we have a robust leadership election and general election. Quite frankly, with all of the issues I've uncovered in five days I've come to the conclusion that, A, we are not ready, and B, it will take the full-time role of the interim leader. I'll be in this office for four months as interim leader and I'll do a security review. I've ordered a full review of the accuracy of our membership list because there is some information out there that there may be some suspect membership numbers."

Fedeli has also ordered a review into sexual reporting, sexual abuse and harassment.

"I have asked our caucus to appoint a third-party investigator to cope with complaints. There is a tremendous list of issues that need my attention. I have to pick a lane. I can either stay as interim leader and perform that duty to the best of my ability, or after five days, leave that position and run for the leadership and you can't do both. I realize that it's absolutely impossible given the state of what I've discovered in five days. The best thing I can do for the party and the people is do what I did. 

"I was honoured to be the unanimous choice of caucus to be party leader. The executive a few hours later decided to go into a full leadership race. Nonetheless, I performed my duties as leader, and in those duties, I discovered that our systems are not fully ready to go for a leadership race or an election and it's my job now to investigate all of the issues."