Arnold considers leaders

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Mel Arnold has been approached “by all of the hopefuls” for interim leader of the opposition Conservative Party.

The North Okanagan Shuswap MP is in Ottawa and will be attending his first Tory caucus meeting Thursday when an interim leader, to replace Stephen Harper, will be chosen.

When asked Tuesday if he had made up his mind which of the candidates to support for leader, Arnold said, “not at this point.”

Arnold said eight people are running, although two are involved in a co-leader bid.

They include: Alberta MPs Rona Ambrose and Mike Lake, Manitoba MP Candice Bergen, Ontario MPs Diane Finley, Rob Nicholson, Erin O'Toole and, in a joint bid, Calgary MP Michelle Rempell and Quebec MP Denis Lebel.

As far as getting settled, Arnold said the civil service holds a number of orientation sessions for new and returning Members of Parliament.

The toughest job so far, said Arnold, has been trying to find a place to live in the nation's capital. He called the hunt “a challenge.”