The Pollcast: Ontario PCs need a leader and quickly

The CBCPollcast explores the world of electoralpolitics,political polls and the trends they reveal.

The Ontario Progressive Conservatives need a new leader. And with just four months to go before Ontariansvote in the next provincial election, there isn't much time.

The resignation of former leader Patrick Brown in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct has thrown the PCs into turmoil. But will the leadership campaign which will end on March 10 provide the party with an opportunity, or make things worse?

• Polls explore how voters view Ontario PC leadership hopefuls
• Podcasts: Subscribe to the CBCPollcast

Three candidates are in the running.

Caroline Mulroney had a resume in the private sector that attracted the PCs enough to tout her as a star candidate for the 2018 provincial election, but apart from her acclamation as the candidate for the riding of YorkSimcoethis will be Mulroney's first political test. She is no stranger to politics, however her father was prime minister from 1984 to 1993.

Christine Elliott has the most experience in provincial politics of the three contestants, being a former MPPwho satat Queen's Park for nearly 10 years.She has also run for the Ontario PC leadership twice before, including in the 2015 leadership campaign that ended with Brown's victory.

Another candidate with political experience is Doug Ford, though this is his first foray onto the provincial scene. Ford is a former Toronto councillor who ran for the mayor's office (losing to former PC leaderJohn Tory) in 2014 after his late brother Rob stepped aside for health reasons.

To break down the race,Pollcasthost ricGrenieris joined by the CBC's Meagan Fitzpatrick and Mike Crawleyfrom Toronto.

Listen to the full discussion above or subscribe to the CBCPollcast here and listen to past episodes.

Follow ric Grenier, Meagan Fitzpatrick and Mike Crawley on Twitter.