Given the events of this week, you all know that we are going to be moving forward in choosing a new Leader of our party to take us into the future, and to push for a Conservative majority in the next election, whenever that should be held.
In that light, please read the statement sent out by Robert Batherson, the president of the Conservative Party of Canada’s National Council.
Today, a majority of Conservative Members of Parliament voted to replace Erin O’Toole as their leader, as is their right under the Parliament of Canada Act.
As President of the Conservative Party of Canada’s National Council, I have received Mr. O’Toole’s resignation as Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, pursuant to Article 10.8.2 of the Constitution of the Conservative Party of Canada.
Conservatives should be grateful for Erin O’Toole’s service and his many sacrifices since he was elected Leader in August 2020. Few will ever know the effort it takes to be the Leader of our party. A very special debt of gratitude is owed to Erin’s wife Rebecca and their children Molly and Jack for sharing their husband and father with our party and our country over the last year and a half.
My colleagues and I on National Council will work with the Interim Leader to be appointed by the Conservative Party of Canada’s Parliamentary Caucus, in accordance with Article 10.9.1 of the Constitution. Please note that this section of the Constitution also prohibits the Interim Leader to be a candidate for the leadership or be elected the Leader of the Party.
National Council’s responsibility under Article 10.9.3 of the Constitution to appoint the Chair and Members of the Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC). Once appointed, LEOC is then charged with deciding the rules and procedures for the leadership selection process, including dispute resolution. National Council will meet soon to discuss this.
Subject to the rules set by LEOC, and relevant provisions of the Constitution, every member of the Conservative Party of Canada will have the opportunity to vote for our next Leader.
National Council has been actively listening to the many different voices in our party. Regardless of where you find yourself in our Conservative coalition, let us now focus on working together, respecting and listening to each other and finding a path for unity under our next Leader.
There will be more information forthcoming in the next week or so. Namely, the rules of this Leadership campaign, which will help guide you in how to cast your vote.
We are ready, as a campaign, to hit the ground running when events call for us to do so. In that vein, we’d like to provide you with some things you will need to do in order to vote for the next Leader.
First and foremost, ensure that your membership in the CPC is current. If you need to renew, or join, you can do so at the party’s website.
You will be eligible to vote for the new Leader with a membership that is current, and – if last leadership election’s rules stand – at least a month old. Therefore, it is paramount for all members, new and renewing, to make sure their membership is up to date.
Secondly, make sure you are signed up for party emails. You can sign up at the Conservative Party’s homepage.
And of course, stay up to date by checking here on my website, on my Facebook page, and on Twitter. You are always welcome to contact us with any questions you have.
While it may feel like upheaval, it is just the beginning of a new campaign to win back the Office of the Prime Minister for Conservatives. I look forward to this next journey with you all.
