Conservative Party leadership race: Beauce MP Maxime Bernier hints at bid

Maxime Bernier says he's "seriously considering" a run at the Conservative Party leadership left vacant bythe departure of Stephen Harper.

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"People in Western Canada and here in Quebec are asking me to consider running for the leadership and I have officially decided to consider it, to consider it seriously," reportedthe Canadian Press.

The 52-year-oldhas served as Conservative MP for the Beauce riding since 2006 and considershimself as an advocate of personal freedom and individual responsibility.

He is partial to the economic platform favoured by the onetime Reform Party, which includes shrinking government and decentralizing powers.

His past titles includeMinister of Industry,Minister of Foreign Affairs andMinister of State for Small Business and Tourism. He trained as a lawyer and isan avid long-distance runner.

Bernier also earned a highprofile for an early series of miscues, including one involving his relationship with Julie Couillard, awoman who had ties to biker gangs.

Rona Ambrose became the interim leader on Nov. 5 and a leadership contest is expected to be held within the upcoming months.