The Conservative Party has named an interim leader just hours after Erin O'Toole officially resigned.
The embattled party leader lost his leadership on Wednesday, when a majority of votes cast by members of the CPC caucus were against having him continue as leader of the party.
In a speech recorded Wednesday afternoon, O'Toole confirmed he had stepped down and offered some parting words on his brief leadership which he called "the honour of a lifetime."
"This country needs a Conservative Party that is both an intellectual force and a governing force," O'Toole said. "Canadians deserve a government that delivers exemplary management with a foundation based upon values and our decency as a country. What Canadians deserve from a Conservative Party is balance, ideas, and inspiration."
Scott Aitchison, Conservative MP for Parry Sound—Muskoka tweeted that Candice Bergen, an MP from Manitoba, will be working as the interim leader for the party.
https://twitter.com/scottaaitchison/status/1489051799579467780?s=11
While Bergen has yet to acknowledge her new title publicly yet, she did post a message to her social media accounts earlier on Wednesday thanking O'Toole for his work.
"I want to express my gratitude and respect to Erin O'Toole for his leadership and the sacrifices he’s made for our party and caucus," Bergen said in a statement.
Bergen served as deputy leader of the Conservatives under O'Toole, and has represented her riding of Portage—Lisgar since 2008 and was Opposition House leader from 2016 to 2020.
She will remain as the interim leader until the party membership holds a leadership race, it's third since 2015 when Stephen Harper resigned.
Also in his resignation speech, O'Toole, who remains as the MP for Durham, shared a message on what he believes both the Conservative caucus and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to do in order to help Canada through a "dire moment in history."
"Hear the other side. Listen to all voices, not just the echoes from your own tribe. Realize that our country is divided and that people are worried," O'Toole said. "Work together, because how we as leaders act now, will define the next generation. If we keep our heads when all about us are losing theirs, and blaming it on you, ours will be the future and everything that is in it."
O'Toole has faced criticism from within the party in recent months, particularly after the Conservatives were not able to unseat the Liberals in the 2021 election. The criticism seems to have grown stronger in recent days as O'Toole was accused by some of a shaky response to the protest in Ottawa.
"I pledge my support and unwavering loyalty to our next leader, and I urge everyone in our party to come together and do the same," O'Toole added.
-With files from Ruby Sweeney
https://twitter.com/erinotoole/status/1488980291108900864
