OTTAWA—An Ontario Tory who has long been a champion of reforming the parliamentary system is running for leadership of the federal Conservatives. Michael Chong becomes the third person to officially join the race which will culminate in a vote in just over a year’s time.

Conservative MP Michael Chong about to speak to the Senate rules and procedures committee last year. ( Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS )

Chong was first elected in 2004 in a southern Ontario riding and went on to serve in former prime minister Stephen Harper’s cabinet as intergovernmental affairs minister. But he resigned from that position in 2006 because he didn’t support a motion recognizing Quebecers as a nation, calling it ethnic nationalism. He took a seat in the backbenches; and from there, spearheaded legislation to give individual MPs more power.

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A bill to that effect became law last fall. Kellie Leitch and Maxime Bernier are the other two candidates currently in the race but several others are considering putting their names forward as well.