Erin O'Toole during his acceptance speech early Monday morning in Ottawa (Canadian Press file photo)

By Shaun Penner

CPC Leadership

Warkentin happy with O’Toole’s victory in Conservative leadership race

Aug 24, 2020 | 2:28 PM

Grande Prairie-Mackenzie MP Chris Warkentin is lauding the outcome of the Conservative Party leadership election, which saw Ontario MP Erin O’Toole be named the party’s new leader.

After a lengthy delay Sunday night caused by a ballot opening machine, it wasn’t until just before 11 p.m. MST that O’Toole officially beat out Peter MacKay on the third ballot to become the leader of the federal Conservatives, replacing Andrew Scheer.

Warkentin says the results showed O’Toole to be the most binding candidate for a party looking to better unite.

“In the end, Erin was the candidate that had support from the broad spectrum of provinces and across the country,” said Warkentin. “Certainly, I’m excited. Erin is a colleague and a friend of mine, and I look forward to serving with him in his new leadership.”

Though Conservative members from the prairie provinces voted more towards candidate Leslyn Lewis, who finished in third in the election, Warkentin feels O’Toole is the right leader to serve the interests of the Peace Country and Alberta.

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“While [O’Toole] is from Ontario, he understands the energy sector, he understands rural Canada, he understands the agricultural sector, [and] he understands many of the things that have been of concern to Albertans,” said Warkentin.

“I think that is going to be a major asset to our party and for us as Albertans, to have a person like Erin at the helm of the party.”

One of the greatest assets Warkentin sees in having O’Toole take on leadership of the Tories is that he is already a sitting Member of Parliament, which will help the party quickly regroup for a confidence vote of the minority Liberals next month and prepare for what could be another federal election.

“The ability to hit the ground running with so many things on the horizon, with the WE scandal, the confidence vote coming in short order and the possibility of an election. His ability to immediately take the helm and be well positioned for that, I think is part of the reason he got elected.”

Warkentin says he and O’Toole have briefly touched base following Sunday night’s results, with Warkentin offering his congratulations on the victory. As for whether or not there was discussion about Warkentin’s current role of Deputy House Leader of the Opposition and whether he would remain in that post with the change in leadership, he says that will come at a later date.

“I don’t expect that he’ll make nay announcements in terms of changes to the leadership team, or shadow cabinet, immediately. But, I do expect there will be a shuffle in the next number of weeks.”

He adds that he is prepared to serve in whatever role O’Toole sees fit for him, but says that first and foremost, his concern is his constituents in Grande Prairie-Mackenzie.

“The privilege that I’ve had to serve in the different roles that I’ve had is [that] I’ve always had the chance to take the voice of my constituents forward and ensure that our expectations, from here in the Peace Country are represented at whatever table I’ve been at.

“I look forward to continuing to do that.”