Who is Erin O’Toole and What Does He Stand For? #cdnpoli

After several delays and a leadership convention that went well into the night, the federal Conservative Party finally has a new leader.

That new leader is Erin O’Toole. This is his second run for Conservative Leader. He ran in the 2017 Conservative leadership race to replace Stephen Harper, in which he finished third.

In the voting last night, he won on the third ballot, beating Peter Mackay, who came in second. Leslyn Lewis was eliminated on the final ballot and Derek Sloan was eliminated on the second ballot.

O’Toole is the MP for Durham in Ontario. He was first elected to the House of Commons in a by-election on November 26, 2012. He previously served as minister of veterans affairs in 2015. Since August 2017, O'Toole has been serving as the Official Opposition critic for foreign affairs.

Who is Erin O’Toole?

Born in Montreal his family moved to Port Perry when he was nine.

In 1991, O'Toole joined the military and enrolled at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. O'Toole holds an honours bachelor of arts in history and political science from RMC, and a law degree from Dalhousie University.

O'Toole married his wife Rebecca in 2000. They have a daughter, Mollie, and a son, Jack.

What Does he Stand For?

When it comes to the economy, if elected Prime Minister he plans to cut taxes. O'Toole also wants to fight climate change while being pro-oil.

He plans to ensure that Canada meets its NATO commitments and modernize the military.

He also plans to cut CBC funding.

When it comes to LGBTQ+ and abortion rights, O'Toole said that he stands up for all rights and doesn't want to remove any rights granted by the courts. He said that is where the party needs to go.