Longtime Progressive Conservative MPP Norm Sterling has been ousted from running in the next provincial election by failing to win his party's support in the nomination bid for Carleton-Mississippi Mills.
Sterling, who has a 34-year history at the Ontario legislature, was defeated by Jack MacLaren, a former president of the Ontario Landowners Association.
The nomination meeting was moved from a Stittsville high school to Scotiabank Place to accommodate all the people expected to attend Thursday night's meeting. It's estimated about 1,200 people were in attendance.
The nomination contest for the riding was a fierce battle between the two men, at times creating a rift within the Conservative caucus.
While Sterling ran on his experience; MacLaren campaigned for change.
Although Sterling was defeated, he says he hasn't decided if his career in politics is over.
Sterling was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 1977. He's served in several top provincial posts, including Attorney General, Minister of Justice and Government House Leader.
