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

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

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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.

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