3.79°C Vancouver

Feb 5, 2022 1:08 AM - The Canadian Press

Candice Bergen shakes up O'Toole's parliamentary leadership team, drops Quebec MP

Share On
candice-bergen-shakes-up-otooles-parliamentary-leadership-team-drops-quebec-mp
New Conservative Interim Leader Candice Bergen has done a clean sweep of former leader Erin O'Toole's leadership team in Parliament. (Photo - The Canadian Press)

New Conservative Interim Leader Candice Bergen has done a clean sweep of former leader Erin O'Toole's leadership team in Parliament.

Tory MPs were informed Friday of the major shakeup, which follows their decision to force O'Toole from the job by a vote of 73 to 45.

Bergen announced that effective immediately Quebec MP Gerard Deltell, Ontario's Michael Barrett, Alberta's Blake Richards and fellow Manitoba MP James Bezan were off the team.

She replaced them with Ontario MP John Brassard, who will serve as her House leader, as well as Tom Kmiec, who will be the Tories' deputy House leader.

Both Brassard and Kmiec were among the nine candidates to have recently run for interim leader.

Bergen also appointed Alberta MP Blaine Calkins as her chief Opposition whip and Ontario's Lianne Rood as her deputy whip.

Latest news

AlbertaFeb 23, 2026

Calgary volunteer soldier recovering from Ukraine injuries hopes to return to front lines as war marks four years

As Ukraine marks four years since Russia launched its full scale invasion, a Calgary man recovering from serious injuries says he intends to rejoin his unit once he is medically cleared. Mac Hughes has been serving with the Ukrainian armed forces since the early months of the conflict in 2022. He was badly burned last year when an exploding drone pinned him between a vehicle and a wall, leaving him with significant injuries that required ongoing treatment. Now recovering, Hughes says the anniversary of the invasion is unlikely to carry special meaning for troops still stationed along the front
WorldFeb 23, 2026

Mexico Violence Erupts After Reported Death of CJNG Leader ‘El Mencho’

Widespread violence has been reported across parts of Mexico following the reported death of a senior drug cartel leader during a military operation, according to statements from the country’s defence authorities. Officials said the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, widely known as El Mencho, was detained by Mexican armed forces on Sunday in the town of Tapalpa. During the operation, an exchange of gunfire broke out between his security detail and military commandos. Authorities said the suspect was seriously injured and later died while being transported to Mexico City. Mexico’
punjab-police-demolish-part-of-sukhpal-khairas-residence-in-bhulath-mla-calls-action-politically-motivated
IndiaFeb 23, 2026

Punjab Police demolish part of Sukhpal Khaira’s residence in Bhulath, MLA calls action politically motivated

A portion of the residence of Punjab Congress MLA Sukhpal Khaira was demolished on Monday in the Ramgarh area of Bhulath, as a team from Punjab Police and local administration carried out what officials described as an action against alleged unauthorized construction. Supporters of Khaira gathered in large numbers at the site during the operation. The legislator sat in front of a JCB machine in protest and began a sit-in against the Punjab government and police, accusing authorities of targeting him. Administrative officials said the demolition was limited to structures deemed illegal under ap
registration-numbers-rise-as-canada-monitors-situation-affecting-canadians-in-mexico
CanadaFeb 23, 2026

Registration numbers rise as Canada monitors situation affecting Canadians in Mexico

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says the number of Canadians registering with federal officials while in Mexico has increased sharply, as Ottawa works to assess the situation and provide assistance. Anand said 26,305 Canadians have now registered with Global Affairs Canada. As of the previous day, that number was approximately 8,000. She cautioned that the actual number of Canadians currently in Mexico could be significantly higher, as not everyone has completed registration with the federal government. According to the minister, Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre r
AlbertaFeb 23, 2026

Edmonton flights to Puerto Vallarta cancelled after violence in Mexico’s Jalisco state

Flights between Edmonton and the Mexican resort city of Puerto Vallarta have been cancelled following reports of widespread violence in the state of Jalisco over the weekend. Edmonton International Airport confirmed that one outbound flight to Puerto Vallarta and three return flights to Alberta were cancelled after unrest broke out in several parts of Jalisco on Sunday. The disruptions have left a number of Edmonton-area travellers stranded in Mexico and families in Alberta seeking updates. The Government of Canada has issued a travel advisory for the state of Jalisco, urging Canadians to exer

Related News