OTTAWA — Erin O’Toole has resigned as the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada but will stay on to serve as the Durham, Ont. member of Parliament.
The majority of caucus voted to remove O’Toole in a secret ballot on Wednesday. In a decisive revolt, 118 votes were cast at the virtual morning meeting, 73 MPs voted in favour of replacing O’Toole, while 45 MPs voted to endorse his leadership.
Chair of the 119-member caucus, Scott Reid, said he did not vote.
Following this vote, O’Toole submitted his formal resignation to the party, effective immediately.
“Our party founded this great nation, I believe it can and should lead Canada out of these troubling times for our country,” he said in a video statement.
“I want to thank the people of Durham who I will continue to serve as Member of Parliament, I never lose sight of what an honour it is for me to serve my hometown in Parliament and there is not a bad seat in the House of Commons.”
He also thanked his wife, Rebecca and his children, Mollie and Jack.
One-third of the caucus signed a letter earlier this week to force the leadership review, an expression of what party
