‘I’m not going anywhere’: O’Toole defiant in face of leadership vote

Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole responded to news that he will face a leadership vote with fire and defiance on Monday night, warning that the Conservative Party faces a “dead-end” if it takes the path of extremism.

“There are two roads open to the Conservative Party of Canada,” he wrote in a statement. “One is the road of Randy Hillier and Derek Sloan. It is angry, negative, and extreme. It is a dead-end; one that would see the party of Confederation become the NDP of the right.

“There is a report tonight of members of the Conservative caucus who are unsure of what road to take. They are, it is said, bringing a letter to caucus to trigger a vote on my leadership of the Party. Good.”

“I’m not going anywhere and I’m not turning back. Canada needs us to be united and serious!”

“It’s time for a reckoning,” O’Toole added. “To settle this in caucus. Right here. Right now. Once and for all. Anger vs. Optimism. That is the choice in simple terms.”

Earlier Monday, the Canadian Press confirmed that Ontario MP Scott Reid, chair of the party’s caucus, informed MPs that he received written notice with signatures from at least 20 per cent of members requesting a review of O’Toole’s leadership.

The process MPs are following is outlined in the Reform Act, which gives a party’s caucus the ability to trigger a leadership review.

After last year’s election loss, the Conservative caucus gave itself the power to vote on O’Toole’s leadership a measure the leader described as a welcome exercise in accountability.

In his correspondence to MPs Monday evening, Reid says the notice he received was valid and more details would follow on when a leadership vote would happen.

The Conservative caucus is next set to meet Wednesday. A vote on the leadership of O’Toole, whose office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, would happen by secret ballot.

In a statement on social media, Alberta MP Bob Benzen, who supported O’Toole in the 2017 and 2020 leadership contests, said O’Toole has flip-flopped on party policy and believes it’s time for caucus to review his fate.

“I feel that the Conservative caucus has given Mr. O’Toole more than enough chances for a course correction to resolve the concerns of many of the grassroots members of our party,” it reads.

“In consideration of Mr. O’Toole’s record as leader, I believe a caucus leadership review is the only way to avoid a dangerous split in the Conservative party that may not be repairable.”