Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston seemed to be downplaying rumours that he's jockeying to become the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, but acknowledged Wednesday that he's taken lessons to learn French — a nod to the bilingualism that's expected of federal party leaders.

"No, I'm focused on, well, I'm focused on Nova Scotia," he said at a media availability in Halifax when asked if he's interested in the federal leadership.

When pressed to clarify he said, "Oh, I'm focused on Nova Sc…