Ousted Conservative leader Erin O’Toole had tried to steer the party to the centre right of Brian Mulroney but the racist rightwing Freedom Convoy creating havoc in Ottawa bulldozed the Conservative leader out of a job as the rightwing element of the party acted quickly to oust O’Toole, who had called out the Truckers as well as taking a new direction on guns and other extremist policies of the hard right in the party.
By DESIBUZZCanada Staff
OTTAWA — Ousted Conservative leader Erin O’Toole had tried to steer the party to the centre right of Brian Mulroney but the racist rightwing Freedom Convoy creating havoc in Ottawa bulldozed the Conservative leader out of a job as the rightwing element of the party acted quickly to oust O’Toole, who had called out the Truckers as well as taking a new direction on guns and other extremist policies of the hard right in the party.
So now the federal Conservatives have again plunged back into a period of political uncertainty with MPs firing O’Toole as their party leader in a move that many nonetheless insisted was actually a show of unity, which will now trigger another leadership race while MAGA hat wearing and Convoy sympathizer Candice Bergin takes over as interim leader.
Bergen, who had the role of deputy party leader, finished tops among nine candidates in a private preferential ballot.
Bergen has represented the Manitoba riding of Portage—Lisgar since 2008. She is replacing Erin O’Toole, who was ousted earlier Wednesday when 73 MPs voted to replace him.
“I want to express my gratitude and respect to [O’Toole] for his leadership and the sacrifices he’s made for our party and caucus,” Bergen tweeted earlier Wednesday. “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.”
When it comes to who might be interested in leading the party long-term,there are also several high-profile Conservatives who’ve stated they don’t intend run.
Earlier this week, both Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said they are not interested in federal leadership and are instead focused on their respective provinces.
While the Conservatives are cheering the racist and divisive Freedom Convoy, both NDP’s Jagmeet Singh and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have denounced trucker convoy.
Singh even told CBC that he disagrees with brother-in-law, who made a GoFundme donation to the cause which has a total in the millions.
“I understand people are frustrated that we’re still in this pandemic. Canadians have all sacrificed so much to keep each other safe. Like many other parents, when I hold my daughter, I think about getting through this safely so that kids can have normalcy again,” Singh said.
“But I’m concerned by the dangerous rhetoric we’ve seen from the convoy. I am concerned by extremist elements that are spreading misinformation and attempting to turn the convoy into a Canadian version of the terrorist attacks on the US Capitol.
“That is not the Canada our children deserve to grow up in.”
Singh said he is deeply disturbed by Conservative MPs supporting this convoy and by default adding their support to extremists who wish to subvert the democratic process, incite violence and spread misinformation about expert public health advice.
Singh also condemned his brother-in-law’s donation to the cause after GoFundMe records showed Jodhveer Singh Dhaliwal, donated $13,000 to the group.
In a statement sent to CBC News, Singh said he doesn’t support a campaign that harbours “extremist and dangerous views” and “unequivocally” disapproves of his brother-in-law’s decision to donate.
An NDP source, speaking on background, said Dhaliwal didn’t fully comprehend what the money would be used for.
“There was a misunderstanding. Once he understood the true nature of this organization, a process was started to return the donation,” the source said.
