12.66°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

doug-ford-denies-interfering-in-u-s-elections-says-canada-u-s-ties-have-changed-forever
CanadaOct 22, 2026

Doug Ford Denies Interfering in U.S. Elections, Says Canada-U.S. Ties Have Changed Forever

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has denied allegations of interfering in U.S. elections, saying it has become clear that Canada’s relationship with the United States has changed forever. Ford stressed that regardless of the outcome of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections or who occupies the White House in the future, relations between the two countries will never return to what they once were. He said Canada must prepare accordingly. A fact sheet released by the U.S. Assembly on Wednesday alleged that Ford had specifically urged Prime Minister Mark Carney in August 2026 to impose retaliatory tariff
CanadaOct 22, 2026

U.S. Accuses Canada of Serious Election Interference

The United States has accused Canada of attempting to influence American elections, as President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies its campaign against voting by non-citizens ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. According to reports, at least 11 Canadians have been arrested this year as part of the crackdown. The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa linked the actions to alleged Canadian interference in American politics, claiming Canadian politicians had attempted to influence U.S. elections through trade policies, political campaigning and public statements. The embassy’s list reportedly
CanadaOct 21, 2026

Canada Says Proposed Social Media Ban for Under-16s Is Constitutional

The Canadian government has defended proposed Bill C-34, which would ban children under 16 from using social media, arguing that it is consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In a statement issued by Justice Minister Sean Fraser, the government acknowledged that the proposed digital safety legislation could affect freedom of expression but maintained that it falls within constitutional limits. The government argued that age-based restrictions are already in place for activities such as voting and driving, and said similar measures are justified to protect children from the
danielle-smith-warns-ucp-members-support-canada-or-leave-the-party
AlbertaOct 21, 2026

Danielle Smith Warns UCP Members: Support Canada or Leave the Party

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has issued a strong warning to members of her United Conservative Party (UCP), saying those who cannot support a pro-Canada position should return their party memberships and find another party. In a video posted on social media Wednesday, Smith made it clear that the UCP cannot afford divisions over the issue, warning that internal disagreements could put the party at risk of losing the next provincial election to the opposition NDP. Her comments came after Monday’s referendum, in which Albertans voted in favour of remaining part of Canada. Smith acknowledged
psac-announces-strike-vote-for-120-000-federal-workers
CanadaOct 21, 2026

PSAC Announces Strike Vote for 120,000 Federal Workers

Canada’s largest federal public service union has announced a nationwide strike vote after contract negotiations with the government stalled. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) represents approximately 120,000 workers, including wildfire firefighters, passport officers, fisheries officers, federal teachers, librarians and administrative staff. The strike vote will run from November 16, 2026, to January 22, 2027. The union and the Treasury Board have been in a dispute over a new collective agreement for the past 18 months. PSAC alleges that the federal government has repeatedly dela

Related News