Businessman Bryan Brulotte won't seek Conservative leadership

BusinessmanBryan Brulotte will not run for the Conservative leadership and is calling on former Conservative cabinet minister Peter MacKay to run instead, CBC News has learned.

"Although my desire was to serve and continues to be a motivating factor, after careful consideration and review of the recently published regulations, I have decided to withdraw from the leadership race for the Conservative Party," Brulotte saidin a press release shared withCBC News.

On Saturday, the Conservative Party released the rules for its Juneleadership vote,giving candidatesjust over two months to pull together $300,000 and secure3,000 signatures to get their names on the ballot.

The first deadline when candidates arerequired to have$25,000 and 1,000 signatures from 30 ridings in at least seven provinces and territories is set for Feb. 27; the remaining financial obligations and signatures are due by March 25.

Brulotte,CEO and chair of the employment firm MaxSysStaffing and Consulting, announced his intention to seek the leadership on Dec. 16.Brulotte is also a former member of the militarywho served overseas in both Germany and on United Nations peacekeeping missions with the Royal 22nd Regiment.

In a press releasedated Jan. 15, Brulotte saidthe decision to stand down was not one he made lightly.

"I believe in a united Canada and I still believe that vision can be achieved," the release said.

"As such, it is with a strong sense of purpose that I fully encourageand advocate for the upcoming leadership campaign of Peter MacKay. Without a doubt, Peter has consistently displayed all the necessary attributes to become prime minister of Canada."Brulotte said hehas known MacKaysince 1997.

MacKay, a former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and a cabinet minister in Stephen Harper's government,is said to be considering a runbut has not yet announced a decision.

MP Marilyn Gladu becamethe first caucus member to enter the race when she announcedher leadership bid last week. Fellow Ontario MPs Erin O'Toole and Pierre Poilievre are expected to announce bidssoon.

Former Quebec premier Jean Charest and former interim leader Rona Ambrose are among those also believed to be considering their options.