(Ottawa) Two Conservative leaders are having a bad quarter of an hour. On the federal scene, a new internal sling is emerging against Erin O’Toole, while on the Alberta side, a revolt is organized against Jason Kenney.
In Ottawa, the attack on Erin O’Toole came from the far right wing of the Conservative Party of Canada – more specifically, from Saskatchewan senator Denise Batters. Appointed to the upper house by Stephen Harper, this close friend of former leader Andrew Scheer supported Peter MacKay during the last Conservative Party leadership race in 2020.
She launched her salvo in a video posted on Twitter Monday at noon, inviting members of the formation to sign a petition the aim of which is to demand a review of Erin O’Toole’s leadership within six months, i.e. June 2022 at the latest, instead of waiting for the next congress in 2023, as planned. And to rally the members to her cause, she engages in a frontal charge against the captain of the Conservative ship.
“Under the leadership of Erin O’Toole, the gap within our party is widening”, plague Mme Batters in the roughly two-minute video, denouncing a leader who presented himself as a “real blue” during the leadership race, but who she said then betrayed conservative principles by campaigning “practically indistinguishable” that of the Liberals of Justin Trudeau.
“As leader, Mr. O’Toole has diluted, and even completely overthrown, our policies, without input from the party or caucus members. On the subject of the carbon tax, firearms, freedom of conscience, he did an about-face during the same week, during the same day, sometimes even in the same sentence, ”she also laughs.
According to what the English-speaking network Global News reported on the strength of anonymous conservative sources, the senatorial exit would represent the first step in an orchestrated campaign to push the leader towards the exit. Press was unable to confirm reports that a gout ordeal awaits Erin O’Toole, whose caucus meets on Wednesday for its weekly session.
“Withdraw your petition, or withdraw from the caucus”
We can already imagine that the exchanges behind closed doors could be tough.
Because the slingshot of Senator Batters was brought down in flames by several Conservative MPs.
Alberta MP Michelle Rempel Garner expressed her frustration on social media. She promptly invited the senator to withdraw her petition, saying that the division that is taking hold in the Conservative ranks can only make the Liberals of Justin Trudeau smile.
“I’m so frustrated right now. Denise, the Liberals are cracking the champagne and they are drinking to your health. I hope you’re happy. I am not, ”railed on the chosen one on her Twitter account.
MP Luc Berthold launched the same appeal. “Senator Batters, whom I respect a lot, should withdraw her petition or withdraw from the caucus, if she is not ready to work as a team against our only opponent: Justin Trudeau,” said the Quebecer on his Twitter account.
The party rebukes the senator
In addition to having been decried by several elected officials, the approach was accused of inadmissible by the party’s staff.
“The question you are proposing to ask in a referendum does not conform to the Constitution of the Conservative Party of Canada. Your petition is not admissible because it does not respect Articles 7, 10 and 12 of the Constitution, ”wrote President Robert Batherson in a letter to Denise Batters.
The senator is the second person to launch a petition to dethrone the current leader.
In the aftermath of the September 20 poll, a member of the national executive, Bert Chen, initiated one to demand a referendum on the leadership of the leader. The party authorities quickly warned that the process was doomed to failure, which turned out.
Jason Kenney in an ejection seat?
Meanwhile, in Alberta, a new tile has fallen on Conservative Premier Jason Kenney, whose leadership has been contested for months.
PHOTO JEFF MCINTOSH, ARCHIVES THE CANADIAN PRESS
Alberta Conservative Premier Jason Kenney.
This is because the riding associations of the party he heads, the United Conservative Party, have reached the required threshold – 22 associations, or more than a quarter of them – to trigger a special meeting to conduct an early review. of his leadership.
In a letter dated November 15 relayed on social networks by English-speaking media, representatives of various constituency associations informed the president of the training, Ryan Becker, of their intention to organize an extraordinary meeting next Friday.
“We expect this process to proceed in accordance with the provisions [mentionnées dans la missive] », We read.
Prime Minister Jason Kenney ignored this sling.
On the sidelines of a press conference in Edmonton announcing an agreement on funding for childcare services with Justin Trudeau, he argued that his party’s constitution included clauses to ensure that the party leader reports to members.