Front Burner

Climate change divides Conservatives as election looms

Erin O’Toole said he wants the Conservative Party to change at his first policy convention as leader, but is everyone on board? Senior Parliament Hill reporter Hannah Thibedeau explains.
Conservative leader Erin O'Toole holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa Tuesday, March 9, 2021. (Sean Kilpatrick / Canadian Press)

Erin O'Toole said the debate was over on climate change during his keynote speech at the 2021 Conservative Party policy convention. Then, party delegates voted down a resolution to add language to the party's policy book saying "We recognize that climate change is real. The Conservative Party is willing to act."

Today, CBC Parliament Hill senior reporter Hannah Thibedeau discusses O'Toole's first Conservative policy convention as leader and what it reveals about the rifts in the party's base.