10.31°C Vancouver

Nov 17, 2021 10:15 PM - The Canadian Press

Expelled Conservative Sen. Denise Batters defends petition, lashes out at O'Toole

Share On
expelled-conservative-sen-denise-batters-defends-petition-lashes-out-at-otoole
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole insists his caucus is united in supporting him and that those who allow their frustrations or personal agendas to get in the way won't be part of his team. (Photo - Sen. Denise Batters/Twitter)

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole insists his caucus is united in supporting him and that those who allow their frustrations or personal agendas to get in the way won't be part of his team.

O'Toole kicked Saskatchewan Senator Denise Batters out of caucus late yesterday after she called for an early review of his leadership.

Sen. Denise Batters is taking off the gloves in her fight with Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole.

O'Toole announced late Tuesday that the Saskatchewan senator was being expelled from the Conservative caucus after she launched a petition calling for a referendum on his leadership within six months.

A leadership review is currently scheduled for the party's national convention in 2023, though MPs did vote in October to give themselves the power to potentially oust him earlier.

Batters in a statement this morning says she is and will always be a Conservative, and says members deserve to have a say on the leadership and direction of the party after an election loss on Sept. 20.

She goes on to question why she is being singled out. Another Conservative senator, Michael MacDonald, urged Tories ahead of the October vote to give themselves the power to hold an early leadership review.

And Batters says if O'Toole is truly confident in the direction that he is taking the party, then he should have no fears about an expedited leadership review.

Latest news

WorldNov 05, 2025

Nine killed after UPS cargo plane crashes and explodes at Louisville airport

Emergency crews are combing through wreckage at Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport after a UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded during takeoff, killing at least nine people and leaving others unaccounted for. Authorities say the aircraft was bound for Honolulu when it caught fire shortly after lifting off the runway early Tuesday morning. Footage from witnesses showed flames erupting from the plane’s left wing and a thick trail of smoke moments before the aircraft plunged back to the ground, igniting a massive fireball. Part of a nearby building’s roof was torn apart by the
b-c-premier-and-coastal-nations-urge-ottawa-to-keep-north-coast-oil-tanker-ban
BCNov 05, 2025

B.C. Premier and Coastal Nations urge Ottawa to keep North Coast oil tanker ban

British Columbia Premier David Eby has joined leaders from coastal First Nations in signing a declaration urging the federal government to uphold the moratorium on oil tankers along the province’s northern coastline. Eby said a single oil spill in the ecologically sensitive region could wipe out billions of dollars in coastal economic activity, warning that current technology cannot effectively clean up such a disaster. The call comes as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith renews her push to have the ban lifted as part of her government’s plan to pursue a new oil pipeline to the B.C. coast. Chi
b-c-finance-minister-urges-ottawa-to-match-auto-sector-aid-with-support-for-forestry-industry
BCNov 05, 2025

B.C. finance minister urges Ottawa to match auto-sector aid with support for forestry industry

British Columbia’s Finance Minister Brenda Bailey is urging the federal government to provide the same level of support for the province’s forestry sector as it does for Ontario’s automobile industry. Bailey said she welcomes the overall direction of the federal budget released today, which she believes aligns with several of B.C.’s priorities. However, she emphasized that the province’s softwood lumber industry continues to face “extraordinary” duties and tariffs of more than 45 per cent, putting workers and communities under significant pressure. Her remarks followed an emergen
conservatives-and-bloc-québécois-to-vote-against-federal-budget
CanadaNov 05, 2025

Conservatives and Bloc Québécois to Vote Against Federal Budget

The Conservative Party and the Bloc Québécois say they will not support the Liberal government’s new federal budget, narrowing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s options to keep his minority government afloat. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called the budget “an inflationary plan” and said his party cannot back what he described as a costly proposal. He said Conservatives wanted a budget that would make life more affordable for Canadians and announced plans to introduce an amendment aimed at restoring affordability. With both the Conservatives and Bloc Québécois opposed, the Lib
zohraan-mamdani-becomes-new-york-citys-first-muslim-mayor-after-defeating-andrew-cuomo
WorldNov 05, 2025

Zohraan Mamdani becomes New York City’s first Muslim mayor after defeating Andrew Cuomo

Democratic Party candidate Zohraan Mamdani has been elected as the new mayor of New York City, marking a historic moment as the first Muslim and Indian-origin person to lead the largest city in the United States. Mamdani, who previously served as a state assembly member, defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a closely watched mayoral race. Cuomo ran as an independent candidate after Mamdani replaced him on the Democratic ticket earlier this year. The campaign gained national attention after former President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Cuomo, warning that Mamdani’s leadership would brin

Related News