By Andrew Thomson | UPDATED 3:39pmET
O'Toole vows to fight for Conservative leadership as MPs seek review, says party faces "reckoning" over future path
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole took to Twitter late last night to vow "it's time for a reckoning" on the future of his leadership and the future direction of the party itself, after reports that dozens of MPs want a caucus review that could occur as early as Wednesday.
Watch PrimeTime Politics for more coverage and analysis: 8pm ET / 5pm PT
O'Toole wrote that he wants the matter settled: "Right here. Right now. Once and for all."
"I will accept the result of this vote," he said. "The signers of this letter must accept it, too. They brought it. They’ll have to live with it."
The Conservative party faces two options, O'Toole added. One is "angry, negative and extreme," a "dead-end" that would leave Conservatives shut out of government. The other, he said, is a message of "inclusion, optimism, ideas and hope" that reflects modern Canada.
There are two roads open to the Conservative Party of Canada. 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. 1/5
— Erin O'Toole (@erinotoole) February 1, 2022
The other road is to better reflect the Canada of 2022. To recognize that conservatism is organic not static and that a winning message is one of inclusion, optimism, ideas and hope. 2/5
— Erin O'Toole (@erinotoole) February 1, 2022
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.
— Erin O'Toole (@erinotoole) February 1, 2022
Good. 3/5
I’m not going anywhere and I’m not turning back. Canada needs us to be united and serious!
— Erin O'Toole (@erinotoole) February 1, 2022
It’s time for a reckoning. To settle this in caucus. Right here. Right now. Once and for all.
Anger vs. Optimism. That is the choice in simple terms. 4/5
I will accept the result of this vote. The signers of this letter must accept it, too. They brought it. They’ll have to live with it.
— Erin O'Toole (@erinotoole) February 1, 2022
Rebecca and I are committed to our Party and conservatism in Canada. We look forward to continuing the journey. 5/5
At least 20% of the Conservative party's 119 MPs are needed to trigger a caucus leadership review and secret-ballot vote, according to the Reform Act. A majority vote to replace O'Toole would then lead MPs to vote on an interim leader until the Conservative Party of Canada holds a full leadership race.
O’Toole removed Saskatchewan Senator Denise Batters from the national caucus last year after she publicly spearheaded a petition for members to seek a leadership review in advance of the next Conservative convention.
And yesterday Calgary Heritage MP Bob Benzen accused O'Toole of "flip-flops and questionable judgment" in publicly calling for a caucus review, saying a vote is necessary to avoid a potentially irreparable split within the Conservative party.
Today, I am calling for a caucus review of Erin O’Toole’s leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada. See my full statement below. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/U8ssOMLfl8
— Bob Benzen 🇨🇦 (@BobBenzen) February 1, 2022
Meanwhile, Edmonton-area MP Garnett Genuis accused O'Toole and his staff of divisive leadership -- and confirmed about one-third of Conservative MPs want a leadership vote.
"Mr. O'Toole should recognize that his position is untenable, rather than using lies to publicly attack members of his own team," Genuis wrote last night.
Very sad to see @erinotoole launching more false personal attacks against members of his own team. Statement below. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/wxI5xWMPap
— Garnett Genuis (@GarnettGenuis) February 1, 2022
O'Toole had also taken to social media on Monday to accuse Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of avoiding the high road by demonizing Canadians to secure his own re-election.
According to O'Toole, the prime minister has been willing to “permanently scar” the nation for the sake of votes, instead of using his leadership position to persuade those with opposing views -- especially those in Ottawa to protest vaccination policies.
Although the Conservatives won the 2021 popular vote under O’Toole (33.7%), the party failed to increase its seat count or make gains in riding-rich urban regions, notably the Greater Toronto Area and B.C.’s Lower Mainland.
In the House
Tuesday is the sixth and final day for debate on the speech from the throne, as protesters continue to clog downtown Ottawa surrounding Parliament Hill.
Neither O'Toole nor Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took part in question period. Trudeau remains in isolation after announcing a positive COVID-19 test yesterday.
Watch: Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet speaks to reporters (no interpretation)
In Committee
Jerry DeMarco, the federal environment and sustainable development commissioner, appears at the Commons environment committee. 11am ET / 8am PT
House of Commons and government officials brief the procedure committee on the Centre Block renovation and restoration project. 11am ET / 8am PT
Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay goes before the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs. 6:30pm ET / 3:30pm PT
Today in Politics: Mark Sutcliffe and Susan Delacourt
Erin O’Toole faces leadership review; Justin Trudeau speaks out against actions of some protesters in Ottawa; Canada considers request for help from Ukraine. Here's your morning update with Mark Sutcliffe:
