ONTARIO -- Erin O’Toole’s stint as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada has come to an end, just 18 months and one election after it began.
A firm majority of Conservative MPs – 73 of 118 – voted to remove O’Toole at a caucus meeting Wednesday.
The party is expected to appoint an interim leader Wednesday, and swiftly launch a new leadership contest.
The vote came after a call for a leadership review gained the required one-third support in the Conservative caucus earlier this week.
A representative for MP Eric Melillo, the sole Conservative in Northwestern Ontario, said he was unavailable for interview Wednesday due to parliamentary duties.
In a brief statement, he thanked O'Toole for his service to the party and country.
"I look forward to the engagement of our members in choosing the direction of the Conservative Party going forward," he added.
Melillo had supported O’Toole in the 2020 leadership race, and through subsequent questions over his leadership.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski said the move was likely to benefit his Liberal party, but was also concerning.
“I think the reality is he was voted out by the right wing of his party – I think that signifies a movement to the right for the Conservatives, which politically is probably advantageous to us,” he said. “I think a more centrist Conservative party is more of a threat to the Liberals.
“Having said that, it is kind of sad those more reasonable, centrist Conservatives are being pushed aside by the right wing. I think that’s a little bit frightening, especially considering what’s been happening in Ottawa lately, and the increasing political polarization in the country.”
Note: This article has been updated with comment from MP Eric Melillo.
