The contest for British Columbia's top office looks likely to land a third competitor this week with a bid by Health Minister Kevin Falcon appearing ready for take-off.
The MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale is planning two news conferences for Tuesday regarding the Liberal Party's Feb. 26 leadership vote to replace Premier Gordon Campbell.
Falcon will start the day in his suburban Vancouver riding, where he's expected to announce his entry into the race. He'll then travel to Prince George for a supper hour speech.
"There's a draft Kevin Falcon movement in Prince George that has taken on a life of its own," spokesman Norman Stowe said Sunday, not confirming Falcon's plans but saying the minister's message will be the same at both events.
"There's a significant group of community leaders out in Prince George who would like to see Kevin run for leader of the BC Liberal Party."
The bid would make Falcon the third Liberal to join the competition, alongside former cabinet ministers Moira Stilwell and George Abbott, who announced their intentions last week.
Falcon's team also wouldn't say whether the MLA will resign his cabinet post, adding he won't be making any comments until Tuesday.
As of last Wednesday, the minister told reporters he was still "weeks" from making any decision. Former education minister Abbott, jumped into the race on Thursday by unveiling a full policy platform.
In Prince George, a key organizer in the "North Needs Kevin" campaign said Sunday he's thrilled Falcon will be making the trek.
"Although Kevin is not from the north, he is perhaps one of the best examples of understanding the north," said Dan McLaren, who has known Falcon for about 25 years, dating back to when they both had roles in the junior chamber of commerce.
As a previous minister of transportation and infrastructure, Falcon was behind major projects including the Kicking Horse Canyon Bridge, expansions of the Cariboo Connector and Prince George Airport, and removal of toll booths on the Coquihalla, according to northneedskevin.ca.
After the group published an ad in the Prince George Citizen with names of 53 Liberal and business community supporters on Thursday, they received additional unsolicited names from another 120 people or so. That includes people from the Indo-Canadian community and organized labour community, McLaren said.
"As someone who's known Kevin for a lot of years, I know that with a young family and his time in public life, he was sincere when he said he wanted to stop and think (a bid) through," he said.
First elected in 2001, Falcon has also served as minister of state for de-regulation. Prior to politics he was president of Access Group, a corporate communications firm he founded in 1998.
As competitors toss out policy positions, Falcon has agreed with Stilwell and Abbott that B.C.'s $8 minimum wage -- the lowest in Canada -- should be revisited.
He's stayed mum on how he'll subdue HST-related anger, but said he thinks differing ideas that will emerge during the leadership race won't break the party down but prompt innovative debate.
More contenders are yet expected to jump in the ring, with considerations being made by heavyweights Solicitor General Rich Coleman and Attorney General Mike de Jong.
Christy Clark, the former B.C. cabinet minister turned popular talk-show host, said Friday she's going to take a week off from her radio job to decide whether to run.
Campbell announced earlier this month he is stepping down as soon as the Liberals can elect a new leader.
