Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu is taking a run at the Conservative Party leadership.
Gladu told BlackburnNews.com Thursday afternoon that the party needs to move to the centre, and that she is the person to take them there.
"We need to win the next election, and in order to do that, we need a strong and dynamic leader in the party, and I believe we need a better balance of fiscal responsibility and social compassion," she said. "Canadians care about a good economy, job creation and reduced taxes, but they also want a credible plan for the environment and climate change, and they want support for our struggling healthcare system."
Gladu is the first caucus member and only woman so far to declare her intention to run.
She said she likes her chances.
"You can only say 'anything can happen in politics,' but honestly I think the party is ready. We've had great women leaders before, like Rona Ambrose, and it'll be interesting to see who gets in the race. I'll leave it to the members to decide who's the best, but certainly, I think I have a great chance."
Gladu said she expects the rules for the leadership bid to be announced this weekend.
She said she's ready to get to work.
"And then it will be getting 3,000 signatures from 10 provinces and 30 ridings, that's the rumour but we'll see if that's what comes out in the rules, and coming up with $300,000 to enter the race, getting the team established across the country, and then hitting the circuit."
In last October's federal election, Gladu was re-elected in convincing fashion to serve a second term as Sarnia-Lambton’s member of parliament.
Despite her victory, Gladu said "like many Canadians," she was disappointed with the overall results, which saw Justin Trudeau re-elected as prime minister of a minority government.
"I think the damage that is being done by the Trudeau Liberals to our natural resources sector is awful, I think on the world stage you can see, even with the current dilemma going on, we're not seeing a strong response from the government, and so it takes a strong leader. I've had global experience, I understand how to take tough decisions, and so I said for the country, this is the right thing for me to do."
Gladu is a professional chemical engineer by training and profession and said she has had a broad range of experience in her 32-year career.
Andrew Scheer announced plans to resign as Conservative leader less than two months after the disappointing election result for the Tories.
The new leader is to be chosen June 27, 2020.