This certainly is a first in the Foothills. Well, a first in Canada for that matter.
The Foothills Canadian Conservative Party Electoral District Association (CPC EDA) is formally calling for an accelerated leadership review for party Leader Erin O'Toole.
According to a press release from the association, the board of directors passed a motion Jan. 22 requesting the National Council and Party Leadership hold a review of O'Toole's capability by June 15.
The purpose for the motion, as outlined in a document obtained by The Western Wheel, is to "ensure a united and strong Conservative Party of Canada in preparation for an imminent election."
The Foothills EDA indicated its motion will be communicated to national council, Foothills MP John Barlow and other electoral district associations across the country.
O'Toole has sat in the CPC's top spot since 2020 and is currently set to face a leadership review in 2023 during the party's convention.
The Foothills EDA is hoping to learn from past mistakes, writing in a press release that the 2021 CPC Convention and associated leadership review left minimal time to prepare for the election held that year.
The hope is that this plan will allow for appropriate transition time ahead of an election, according to the EDA.
"If we continue on the path of a convention and leadership review in 2023 combined with the current minority government, the Conservative Party will once again face an election with very short preparation time," the statement read in part.
"It is with this in mind, and our drive to help the party to do everything in their power to win a majority government in the next federal election, that we raise this request now. Now is the time to confirm strong support for our leaders."
Communication personnel for the Foothills EDA have said neither members of the board nor association president Karen Spencer will be making any further comments.
Barlow's office has yet to respond to a request for comment.
