Battlefords-Lloydminster MP Rosemarie Falk says she’s relieved a long CPC leadership, extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is over and a new leader has been selected.
The four-way challenge to replace outgoing leader Andrew Scheer was decided late Sunday evening. After three rounds of voting, Durham MP Erin O’Toole was announced as the new leader, defeating contenders Peter McKay, Dr Leslyn Lewis and Derek Sloan.
The vote was also delayed several hours as the machine open the 175,000 mail-in ballots began slicing some ballots, which had to be re-done by party officials. In the end, O’ Toole secured 57 per cent of the votes over second-place finisher, Peter McKay.
Falk says she believes O’Toole has been given a clear game plan for his time as leader of the official-opposition Conservatives, which she saw reflected Sunday night.
“With his speech last night, he very much said that he’s been given somewhat of a clear mandate to, you know, obviously unite the party, to champion our conservative principles, and to make sure Canadians know that Justin Trudeau and his team of Liberals are failing our country.”
In his victory speech, O’Toole said his Conservative party will be one that welcomes all people, regardless of race, religion, economic status, education or sexual orientation. He also stated that he would be working towards a more united, prosperous and stronger Canada.
Falk adds that she’ll be working with O’Toole and other party members to make sure the Midwest’s voice is heard.
“Myself and [Lakeland MP] Shannon Stubbs, we definitely will make sure our constituents’ voices are heard in the House of Commons. We will continue to do that, but we will also make sure to continue to keep the concerns of the Battlefords-Lloydminster and Lakeland top of mind, and vocal in the caucus room as well.”
Falk also touched on the campaign of Dr Leslyn Lewis, who she endorsed for leadership. While Lewis did not secure enough votes and was eliminated in the second round of voting, Falk explains that her campaign will have an impact and that she resounded with voters in Western Canada.
“I think Dr Leslyn [Lewis] had many wins last night, I think she did very well, especially being unelected [as an MP] at the moment. I think she brought forward sound conservative ideas and principles that people liked, and I think this is just the beginning for her.”
The earliest a Federal Election could be called is September 23rd, if the Liberal minority government fails a confidence vote in the House of Commons after the Speech from the Throne.