Conservative Erin O’Toole renews call to make party more inclusive as he pitches new vision

OTTAWA – New Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole has presented his vision for the Tories and Canada in his first news conference since taking the job.

In remarks that sound a lot like a campaign speech, O’Toole tried on Tuesday to stake his ground in the political sphere and not be defined by his opponents.

“You’ll also be hearing a lot of Liberal spin about me. In fact, it’s already started. Don’t buy it. Here’s all you need to know about me: I’m here to fight for you and your family. And Canada needs a fighter,” he said at his first news conference.

“From coast to coast to coast, Canadians are losing their jobs, their homes, and their hope. Even before the pandemic, half of Canadian families were just one surprise, $200 expense away from not being able to pay their rent or their bills. Now, millions of Canadians are barely getting by,” O’Toole said, adding he knows many people are concerned about the future.

“My family and I feel the same way. Parents are up late at night worrying about what might happen during a second wave of COVID-19 or when emergency programs end,” he told Canadians, saying he and his wife, Rebecca, understand “the challenges, fears, and hopes of the middle class.”

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O’Toole was elected as the Conservative leader in a vote that lasted into early Monday morning after a technical delay caused by a mail-in ballot counting machine.

The lawyer and former member of the Air Force beat out four candidates, including the perceived frontrunner, Peter MacKay, to replace Andrew Scheer at the helm of the Opposition.

O’Toole repeated on Tuesday his message from early Monday morning that he wants to make the Conservative Party more inclusive to all Canadians, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexuality. This seems like a departure from the party’s previous leader who struggled with questions about abortion and the LGBTQ2 community.

The Durham MP would not say if he plans to bring down the government in the Throne Speech, only saying he has to wait to hear what is in it, adding it needs to address western alienation. He did say, however, that he and his party would be ready for a snap election, should one take place.

The Throne Speech is set to take place at the end of September.

Meanwhile, O’Toole said he would be naming his house leadership and critic portfolios at a later date.

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