OTTAWA — Conservative leadership candidate Erin O’Toole has called for the country to be placed on “war footing” to combat the spread of COVID-19.
It’s the latest escalation of rhetoric in a Conservative leadership race now thrown into flux by the rapidly evolving crisis.
O’Toole, as well as Peter MacKay, are so far the only candidates on the ballot for the June 27 leadership election and both have been calling on the government to do more to address the pandemic.
As O’Toole demanded today that the military be spooled up, MacKay called for immediate tax changes to boost the economy.
Their campaigns have also been sniping at each other over their respective tactical responses to the outbreak, each accusing the other of continuing to hold public events despite a promise not to.
Six other candidates are trying to get on the ballot for the vote and with the deadline to meet the entry requirements now less than 10 days away, several are calling for the rules to be changed.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 16, 2020.
The Canadian Press
The Canadian Press
