After roughly a year-and-a-half at the helm of the Conservative Party of Canada, Erin O'Toole is out.

The Ontario MP was ousted yesterday by the majority of Conservative MPs in a vote, 73 voting to replace him with only 45 showing endorsement.

Cypress Hills-Grasslands MP Jeremy Patzer thanked O'Toole for leading the party in a statement to West Central Online but noted there was a reason the leader of the Official Opposition of Canada was overthrown. ​

"The dissatisfaction on the part of our caucus and grassroots members was becoming increasingly untenable and it was clear a new leader was needed," he said. "I’m grateful that this is now behind us, and that we can move forward as a unified caucus and party."

O'Toole was elected to lead the Conservative Party of Canada back in the summer of 2020 after edging out Peter MacKay. About 13 months later in his first and only election as leader, he fell to the Liberals.

While it's not known how many politicians will toss their hat into the ring for a chance at becoming the next leader of the party, Patzer is excited to be forging on.

"I look forward to the upcoming leadership selection process and seeing who the members of the Conservative Party of Canada choose to lead us into the next election,” he said.

Last night Manitoba MP Candice Bergen was given the interim leader tag and will remain in the role until party membership elects a new permanent leader.

Rosemarie Falk, Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster, issued the following statement following the Conservative caucus leadership review vote.

“Today the majority of our Conservative caucus voted to remove Erin O’Toole as leader. This resolve brings opportunity for our Conservative caucus to unite around our shared conservative principles and to focus on standing up for Canadians. I look forward with optimism to working with my colleagues to hold Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to account and to showing Canadians a strong government in waiting.”

“Public service always comes at a personal cost, and I thank Mr. O’Toole and his family for their service to Canadians and our Conservative party.”

Kelly Block, Member of Parliament for Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek, released the statement below following two decisions made by the Conservative Party of Canada National Caucus.

“Yesterday, our Conservative caucus voted decisively for a change in leadership. I want to thank the Honourable Erin O’Toole and his family for their service to Canadians and our party.

“The Conservative Party has always been a big tent party made up of thousands of members who support our founding principles and a shared commitment to stand up for all Canadians.

“We must now rebuild and demonstrate that we are a government in waiting ready to govern for the good of all.

“Finally, I want to congratulate the Honourable Candice Bergen on being chosen as the interim leader. She is a skilled parliamentarian and will do an excellent job of unifying our Conservative caucus and holding the Trudeau Liberal government to account for their harmful and divisive policies.”

With files from David Zammit