Tories choose Manitoba MP Candice Bergen as interim leader after ousting O’Toole
Posted February 2, 2022 6:04 pm.
Last Updated February 2, 2022 10:50 pm.
Manitoba MP Candice Bergen is the new interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.
Conservative MPs chose Bergen for the role Wednesday night, after voting to remove Erin O’Toole from the top job earlier in the day.
Breaking: @CandiceBergenMP has been elected interim leader of the Conservative party after @erinotoole was voted out by MPs this afternoon #cdnpoli
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) February 3, 2022
Bergen, who was deputy leader of the Conservatives under O’Toole, has represented the riding of Portage-Lisgar since 2008 and was Opposition House leader from 2016 to 2020 She will serve as interim leader until the party membership chooses a new permanent leader.
I want to express my gratitude and respect to @erinotoole for his leadership and the sacrifices he’s made for our party and caucus. Thanks also to Rebecca and the O’Toole family for their dedication and support. Erin is an asset and will continue to be a valued member of our team pic.twitter.com/BdZl907rYV
— Candice Bergen (@CandiceBergenMP) February 2, 2022
This will be the third leadership race since former prime minister Stephen Harper stepped down after losing to the Liberals in the 2015 election.
Conservative MP Scott Reid, the chair of the national caucus, says Bergen was one of nine candidates for interim leader.
