Motz supports Conservative vote for party change

By COLLIN GALLANT on February 4, 2022.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

Medicine Hat MP Glen Motz supported a movement to remove Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole and on Thursday told the News the move will provide renewal within the party.

One day earlier, about two-thirds of Conservative Party of Canada’s 119 MPs voted to remove O’Toole, who became leader in late-2020 but leaves after the party failed to gain ground in last fall’s election.

Motz, the Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner, said the discussion during the meeting had a very respectful tone, but it was clear that change was needed.

He also said that some party supporters and Canadians may see a third leadership race in five years as a sign of party infighting, but “we’re united in our concern for the country and our conservative cause.”

“It shows that the Conservative party is the only grassroots party in Canada and the grassroots determines the direction,” said Motz.

“Canadians who are supporters of small “c” conservative values should be encouraged.”

He said much of the discussions that took place in a virtual meeting that preceded the vote Tuesday would be kept in caucus confidence. Later than day, Manitoba MP Candice Bergen was elected interim leader, which Motz said was a strong choice.

He said the loss in the recent election was a factor in O’Toole’s departure, but “it wasn’t the only thing.”

Motz heard concern from party members, donors and at doorsteps during the last election that they were concerned with inconsistent messages.

Last spring the party outlined a revised carbon levy including a complex voucher system instead of fully repealing the carbon tax – previously a top-line talking point for Tories – and western MPs appeared to soft sell the measure in during campaigning.

Motz supported Leslyn Lewis in the 2020 leadership contest that was won by O’Toole, and in 2017 backed O’Toole in a large field that was eventually won by Andrew Scheer.

During the recent race, he said that both O’Toole and fellow front-runner Peter McKay, were good men for the job but may “have a hard time winning an election.”

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