ATHABASCA/BARRHEAD/WESTLOCK - Peace River-Westlock MP Arnold Viersen issued a statement on Feb. 2 thanking former Conservative Party leader Erin O’Toole for his service, adding that the vote to remove O’Toole was “a healthy expression of our democratic process.”
However, the release did not specify whether or not Viersen actually supported O’Toole’s removal, and the Barrhead Leader was unable to reach the MP for an interview prior to publication deadlines.
In a secret ballot conducted on Feb. 2, a total of 73 MPs voted in favour of replacing O’Toole, while 45 voted to endorse his leadership. (The chair of the 119-member caucus, Scott Reid, did not cast a vote.)
Following the vote, O’Toole, who was elected as leader in 2020 following the resignation of Andrew Scheer, submitted his formal resignation effective immediately. In his place, Portage-Lisgar MP Candice Bergen has stepped in as interim leader.
In the media release issued by Viersen’s office following the resignation, Viersen said he wished to thank the many constituents who called, e-mailed and expressed their opinions in person over the past few months regarding the leadership of the Conservative Party, adding their voices were heard.
“I also wish to express my thanks to Erin O’Toole for his time serving as Leader of the Official Opposition. This role is never easy and required many sacrifices from Erin and his family,” Viersen said.
Over the next few months, Viersen said, the Conservative Party of Canada will begin a process to elect a new leader, as Canada needs a prime minister who will represent Canadians from all corners of the country.
“The Conservative Party remains strongly united and committed to standing up for workers, families, small businesses and all Canadians. We will continue to hold the Liberal government to account and focus on the issues that are directly affecting Canadians.”
As mentioned, the Barrhead Leader reached out to Viersen’s office with several questions, such as how Viersen cast his vote or whether he was one of 35 MPs to sign a letter calling for a leadership review vote. He was also asked if he supported any of the emerging candidates for leadership.
Viersen’s office replied on Feb. 5 that the MP was involved in events throughout the day — he was spotted attending an anti-COVID measures demonstration in Barrhead on Saturday — and he was unable to contact the Leader until after publication deadlines on Feb. 7.
Stubbs’ response
Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs also put out a release on Feb. 3 commenting on O’Toole’s removal as leader of the Conservatives, which also did not directly state whether she supported his ouster.
Stubbs first offered her congratulations to Bergen for her election as interim leader of the Conservative caucus. “(Bergen) will be a capable and steady champion who will unite our caucus and ensure we fulfill our obligations as the principled and assertive Official Opposition that Canadians expect and deserve,” she added.
Stubbs then stated that the need for a strong Conservative Party has never been more important for her riding or all of Canada.
“I know confidence in our party has been shaken among our members, volunteers and core voters — and I know it was because of words actions and positions taken amongst the past year and a half,” she added.
“Conservatives must come together for our common values, which I believe are the common values of Canadians, like freedom, equality, limited government, personal and fiscal responsibility, democracy, justice, personal and national sovereignty, and decentralization. We should focus on what unites us, not highlight what divides us, and value all Conservatives of all backgrounds.”
Stubbs said the reality is that many MPs are risk adverse and must balance many competing interests, sometimes to the frustration of their voters.
“When MPs take an extraordinary action, as what happened (with the vote to remove O’Toole), people can trust it has been done for grave reasons,” she said.
