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Erin O'Toole

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Captain the Honourable

Erin O'Toole

PC CD MP
Erin O'Toole.jpg
O'Toole in 2014
Leader of the Opposition
Assumed office
August 24, 2020
DeputyTBA
Preceded byAndrew Scheer
Leader of the Conservative Party
Assumed office
August 24, 2020
PresidentScott Lamb
DeputyTBA
Preceded byAndrew Scheer
Minister of Veterans Affairs
In office
January 5, 2015 – November 4, 2015
Prime MinisterStephen Harper
Preceded byJulian Fantino
Succeeded byKent Hehr
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Durham
Assumed office
November 26, 2012
Preceded byBev Oda
Personal details
Born
Erin Michael O'Toole

(1973-01-22) January 22, 1973 (age 47)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Political partyConservative
Spouse(s)
Rebecca O'Toole
(
m. 2000)
[1]
Children2
FatherJohn O'Toole
ResidenceCourtice, Ontario, Canada
Alma materRoyal Military College (BA, Hons)
Dalhousie University (LLB)
ProfessionLawyer, politician
Websiteerinotoole.ca
Military service
Branch/serviceCanadian Forces Air Command
Years of service1991–2000 (active)
2000–2003 (reserve)
RankCaptain
Unit423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron
AwardsCanadian Forces' Decoration
Sikorsky Helicopter Rescue Award

Erin Michael O'Toole PC CD MP (born January 22, 1973) is a Canadian politician who has been the Leader of the Conservative Party and the Leader of the Official Opposition of Canada since August 24, 2020.

After a decade in the Royal Canadian Air Force and a subsequent legal career, O'Toole was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Durham in a by-election in 2012. O'Toole briefly served in the Harper Government as Minister of Veterans Affairs in 2015.

In 2017, O'Toole ran in the leadership election to replace Stephen Harper, finishing third. He was appointed Opposition critic for foreign affairs by the winner, Andrew Scheer. After Scheer's resignation in 2020, O'Toole ran in the election to replace him, and on August 24 was announced as the winner, making him Leader of the Opposition.

Background

O'Toole was born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of Molly (Hall) and John O'Toole, who served as the member of Provincial Parliament for Durham in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario between 1995 and 2014.[2] His father is of Irish descent, and his mother was born in London, England, and came to Canada after World War II.[3][4] Following his mother's death when he was nine years old, his family moved to Port Perry where he attended elementary school. O'Toole and his family later moved a short way to Bowmanville, where he graduated from Bowmanville High School.[5]

In 1991, O'Toole joined the military, and enrolled at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) in Kingston, Ontario. He graduated with an honours bachelor of arts in history and political science in 1995.

Military career

Following his graduation, O'Toole was commissioned as an officer in the Canadian Forces Air Command (AIRCOM), now the Royal Canadian Air Force.[6] His first posting with Air Command occurred in Trenton, Ontario, where he was involved in search and rescue operations. O'Toole also spent time at 17 Wing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he completed his training as an air navigator.[6]

In 1997, O'Toole was posted to 12 Wing in Shearwater, Nova Scotia. While serving at this post, O'Toole flew as a tactical navigator on a CH-124 (Sea King) helicopter with 423 Squadron, conducted maritime surveillance, and performed search and rescue and naval support operations.[6] While serving at 12 Wing, O'Toole was promoted to the rank of captain. O'Toole also received the Canadian Forces' Decoration for 12 years of service to Canada.[5] O'Toole was also awarded the Sikorsky Helicopter Rescue Award, for having rescued an injured fisherman at sea. [5]

In 2000, O'Toole completed his active service in the military.[6] He transferred to the reserves working as a training officer running flight simulators, while he pursued a law degree.[5]

Legal career

O'Toole graduated from Dalhousie University with a law degree in 2003, and returned to Ontario. He articled at and later became a lawyer with Stikeman Elliott, a business law firm in Toronto. During this time, O'Toole primarily practiced corporate law, insolvency matters, and energy regulation.

Between 2006 and 2011, O'Toole served as Canadian in-house counsel for Procter & Gamble.[7] He served as corporate counsel for the Gillette healthcare, beauty, and paper business groups, provided commercial and regulatory law advice, and was counsel on issues relating to legislation and anti-counterfeiting operations in Canada.

In 2011, O'Toole joined the law firm Heenan Blaikie.[8][9]

Political career

In May 2012, O'Toole announced his plans to run as the Conservative candidate in the by-election for Durham, following Bev Oda's resignation.[10] On November 26, 2012, O'Toole easily won the by-election for the electoral district of Durham.[11] After spending a few months as a backbencher in the House of Commons, O'Toole was named the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, Ed Fast, in September 2013.[12]

In 2014, O'Toole partnered with then-senator Roméo Dallaire to host the first Samuel Sharpe Memorial Breakfast, in honour of former soldier and MP Samuel Simpson Sharpe. Sharpe committed suicide in 1918 following his return home from World War I. O'Toole and Dallaire started the memorial breakfast to bring issues of veterans' mental health to the forefront and to improve access to treatment and resources for soldiers suffering from operational stress injuries.[13] In May 2018, O'Toole introduced a motion to install a plaque commemorating Sharpe on Parliament Hill. The motion to install the plaque passed unanimously.[14]

Minister of Veterans Affairs

O'Toole laying a wreath at the Canadian Cross of Sacrifice at Arlington National Cemetery, February 2015

On January 5, 2015, O'Toole was appointed minister of veterans affairs, replacing Julian Fantino.[15] O'Toole prioritized repairing relations with veterans and addressing the complaints Canadian veterans had with Fantino.[16]

During his time as minister of veteran affairs, O'Toole was able to convince the veterans to place a lawsuit against the Canadian government on hold while they entered settlement negotiations.[17] The lawsuit, filed before O'Toole was named minister, was based on Canadian soldiers arguing that the 2006 overhaul of veteran benefits was discriminatory.[17]

2015 federal election

In the 2015 election, O'Toole was re-elected as MP for Durham. He received 45 per cent of the vote, followed by Liberal candidate Corinna Traill at 36 per cent.[18]

2017 Conservative leadership campaign

Main article: 2017 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election

Stephen Harper resigned as Conservative party leader after the party was defeated by the Liberals in the 2015 election. O'Toole announced that he would seek the interim leadership of the Conservative Party.[19] He was defeated by Rona Ambrose, who named O'Toole the Official Opposition critic for public safety.[20]

O'Toole with Andrew Scheer several months after the Conservative Party leadership election in 2017

On October 14, 2016, O'Toole announced his nomination to be a candidate in the 2017 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election.[21] O'Toole received endorsements from 31 MPs, 12 former MPs, 17 provincial politicians, and CANZUK International.[22][23] O'Toole finished in third place, behind Maxime Bernier and eventual winner Andrew Scheer.[24]

Foreign affairs opposition critic

On August 31, 2018, O'Toole was appointed the official opposition critic for foreign affairs.[25]

In 2018, after Patrick Brown resigned over accusations of sexual misconduct, O'Toole considered entering the Ontario PC leadership election race.[26] However, O'Toole passed on the opportunity, instead endorsing and supporting Christine Elliott.[27]

2020 Conservative leadership campaign

Main article: 2020 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election

After the October 2019 election, in December, Andrew Scheer resigned as Conservative Party leader after losing to Liberal leader Justin Trudeau.[28][29][30] Scheer remained as interim leader.[31]

O'Toole announced that he would seek the leadership of the Conservative Party in late January 2020.[32]

Leader of the Conservative Party

O'Toole became the third leader of the Conservative Party of Canada after three rounds were counted, replacing Andrew Scheer. His victory was partially attributed to his pitch to supporters of Derek Sloan and Leslyn Lewis to mark him as their second or third choice.[33] People's Party leader Maxime Bernier criticized him in remarks dismissed by fellow leadership candidate Sloan, claiming he wasn't a real conservative.[34]

Political positions

O'Toole campaigned for leader of the Conservative Party promising to privatize the CBC, [35] reverse restrictions on gun ownership, and let provinces scrap the carbon tax.[36]

Personal life

O'Toole married in 2000. He has a daughter, Mollie, and a son, Jack.[37] O'Toole is Roman Catholic.[38]

Awards and recognition

In 2012, O'Toole was awarded the Christopher J. Coulter Young Alumnus Award by Dalhousie University, for his achievements and dedication to community service.[39]

Also in 2012, O'Toole received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.[40] All serving MPs that year were recipients.[41]

Electoral record

2019 Canadian federal election: Durham
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative Erin O'Toole 30,752 42.1 -3.03
Liberal Jonathan Giancroce 23,547 32.2 -3.55
New Democratic Sarah Whalen-Wright 13,323 18.2 +2.17
Green Evan Price 3,950 5.4 +2.88
People's Brenda Virtue 1,442 2.0 –
Total valid votes/Expense limit 73,014 100.0  
Total rejected ballots 480
Turnout 73,494 71.2
Eligible voters 107,367
Conservative hold Swing +0.26
Source: Elections Canada[42][43]
2015 Canadian federal election: Durham
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative Erin O'Toole 28,967 45.13 −10.04 $117,180.89
Liberal Corinna Traill 22,949 35.75 +20.22 $51,458.76
New Democratic Derek Spence 10,289 16.03 −7.72 $21,240.10
Green Stacey Leadbetter 1,616 2.52 −2.04 $109.90
Christian Heritage Andrew Moriarity 364 0.57 – $4,224.95
Total valid votes/Expense limit 64,185 100.00   $236,417.96
Total rejected ballots 233 0.36 –
Turnout 64,418 68.93 –
Eligible voters 93,455
Conservative hold Swing -15.13
Source: Elections Canada[44][45][46]
Canadian federal by-election, November 26, 2012: Durham
Resignation of Bev Oda
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative Erin O'Toole 17,280 50.72 −3.83 $95,331
New Democratic Larry O'Connor 8,946 26.26 +5.16 $96,257
Liberal Grant Humes 5,887 17.28 −0.57 $91,946
Green Virginia Ervin 1,386 4.07 −1.32 $742
Christian Heritage Andrew Moriarity 437 1.28 +0.49 $4,379
Online Michael Nicula 132 0.39 – $1,080
Total valid votes 34,068 100.00
Total rejected ballots 115
Turnout 34,183 35.87
Eligible voters 95,296
Conservative hold Swing −8.99
Source: "November 26, 2012 By-elections". Elections Canada. November 27, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.

References

  1. ^ "Conservatives hang on to Oda's Durham riding". Toronto Sun, November 26, 2012.
  2. ^ "John O'Toole | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  3. ^ https://www.canadianmuslimvote.ca/cpc_interview_series_erin_o_toole
  4. ^ https://openparliament.ca/politicians/erin-otoole/?page=98
  5. ^ a b c d van Bilsen, Jonathan. "The Story Behind The Person - Erin O'Toole". The Standard Newspaper. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d Levitz, Stephanie. "Five things to know about new veterans Affairs Minister Erin O'Toole". iPolitics.ca. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  7. ^ "Interview Series: Erin O'Toole". The Canadian-Muslim Vote. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  8. ^ "Heenan Blaikie lawyer takes aim at replacing Bev Oda in Parliament". Precedent. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  9. ^ Gray, Jeff. "The inside story of Heenan Blaikie's frantic final days". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  10. ^ Erman, Boyd. "Bay Street lawyer eyes Bev Oda's seat". The Globe and Mail.
  11. ^ Hall, Chris. "Erin O'Toole thoroughly dominates Durham". DurhamRegion.com.
  12. ^ "Parliamentary Roles - Erin O'Toole". Parliament of Canada.
  13. ^ Dillon, Moya. "Durham MP Erin O'Toole revives legacy of Zephyr war vet Samuel Sharpe". DurhamRegion.com.
  14. ^ "100 years after his death, 'forgotten' officer to be commemorated on Hill". CBC News.
  15. ^ "PM Announces Change to the Ministry" Archived 2015-01-05 at the Wayback Machine January 5, 2015
  16. ^ Long, Jamie. "Erin O'Toole, veterans affairs minister, moves to address complaints". CBC News.
  17. ^ a b Brewster, Murray. "Afghan vets lawsuit over benefits on hold as Tories search for settlement". CBC News.
  18. ^ "Durham Riding stays blue with Erin O'Toole: 2015 federal election results". DurhamRegion.com.
  19. ^ "Erin O'Toole, ex-Veterans Affair minister, to seek Conservative interim leadership". CBC News.
  20. ^ Harris, Kathleen. "Rona Ambrose chosen as interim Conservative leader". CBC News.
  21. ^ Pessian, Parvaneh. "Durham MP Erin O'Toole launches Conservative leadership bid in Bowmanville". DurhamRegion.com.
  22. ^ Grenier, Éric. "Erin O'Toole winning Conservative caucus as it shuns leadership front-runners Bernier, O'Leary". CBC NEWS.
  23. ^ Skinner, James. "Pro-CANZUK Leader Meets With CANZUK International". Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  24. ^ "Conservative Leadership: The Results". CPAC. May 29, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  25. ^ O'Meara, Jennifer. "O'Toole named Conservative shadow minister for foreign affairs". DurhamRegion.com.
  26. ^ Lunn, Susan; Tasker, John. "Conservative MP Erin O'Toole considering run for Ontario PC leadership". CBC News.
  27. ^ Fitzpatrick, Meagan. "Erin O'Toole takes pass on Ontario PC leadership, endorses Christine Elliott". CBC News.
  28. ^ "Canada Conservative leader in surprise resignation". BBC News. December 12, 2019.
  29. ^ Rabson, Mia (December 15, 2019). "Conservative party in disarray over Scheer private school controversy". National Observer.
  30. ^ MacCharles, Tonda (December 12, 2019). "Andrew Scheer quitting as Conservative leader amid controversy". thestar.com.
  31. ^ Connolly, Amanda. "Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer resigns, vows to stay on until new leader chosen". Global News.
  32. ^ Levitz, Stephanie. "Erin O'Toole announces bid for Conservative leadership in Alberta". Global News.
  33. ^ "Erin O'Toole wins Conservative Party of Canada leadership on 3rd ballot". CP24. August 23, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  34. ^ Zimonjic, Peter (August 24, 2020). "Erin O'Toole spends 1st day overseeing transition, talking to PM and Scheer". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  35. ^ https://erinotoole.ca/defundcbc/
  36. ^ https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/what-has-erin-o-toole-promised-to-do-as-tory-leader-1.5077126
  37. ^ Pessian, Parvaneh. "Durham MP Erin O'Toole launches Conservative leadership bid in Bowmanville". DurhamRegion.com. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  38. ^ McCullough, J.J. (August 24, 2020). "Canada's Conservatives pick Erin O'Toole as leader — and reject the temptation to go left". Washington Post. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  39. ^ Weeren, Marie. "Alumni Association Awards celebrate outstanding alumni". Dalhousie University. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  40. ^ General, Office of the Secretary to the Governor. "Erin O'Toole, M.P." The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  41. ^ "First 60 Canadians set to receive Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  42. ^ "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  43. ^ "Election Night Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  44. ^ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Durham, 30 September 2015
  45. ^ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates Archived August 15, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  46. ^ "Election Night Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 20, 2015.

External links

Parliament of Canada
Preceded by
Bev Oda 		Member of Parliament
for Durham
2012–present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Julian Fantino 		Minister of Veterans Affairs
2015 		Succeeded by
Kent Hehr
Preceded by
Andrew Scheer 		Leader of the Opposition
2020–present 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by
Andrew Scheer 		Leader of the Conservative Party
2020–present 		Incumbent
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