TORONTO — Ontario's Progressive Conservatives have announced that Toronto's former police chief will run for them in the June election.

Mark Saunders retired from the Toronto Police Service in 2020, and was appointed by the provincial government last year as a special adviser on the redevelopment of Ontario Place.

Premier and Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford says Saunders brings an incredible amount of experience and he's thrilled to have him as part of the team.

In a statement, Saunders says he has worked closely with Ford over the years and admires his strong leadership.

Saunders will be running in Don Valley West, which has been held by former Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne since 2003.

Wynne is not running again, and the Liberals have nominated financial services executive Stephanie Bowman to run in the riding.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 22, 2022.

The Canadian Press