Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose says the race to replace Stephen Harper is "wide open" because there is "no big name" currently in the running. Peter MacKay, Jason Kenney and James Moore, prominent ministers in Stephen Harper's cabinet, have all decided against a bid for the party's leadership. MacKay, who had a strong lead in early polling, made his decision this week ahead of the Conservative caucus meeting in Halifax, paving the way for other entrants. Leadership hopeful Kellie Leitch arrives at the national Conservative summer caucus retreat in Halifax on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. About a third of the 99-strong Conservative caucus consists of rookie MPs, including a healthy contingent of new Tories from Quebec.

Source: CBC News September 17, 2016 09:00 UTC