Rona Ambrose chosen as new interim leader of Conservatives

There’s also another $82,322 for the opposition caucus chair, the selection of which sheds a light a on a particularly contentious decision the Conservative caucus will have to make before they even get to voting on an interim leader – what to do with a few of the provisions in Conservative MP Michael Chong’s Reform Act.

The party announced Ambrose, a former health and ex-environment minister, as interim leader on Thursday after a vote.

Conservative MP Rona Ambrose will serve as the interim leader of the Official Opposition Conservative party.

“My colleagues chose me and they put their trust in me”, she said.

“I’m looking for leadership skills, the ability to move the party towards the next election and holding the government to account”, he said. “We feel very optimistic about the next election and have every intention to come back into power”.

Ambrose indicated she has no intention to run for the permanent leadership position.

Earlier in the day, outgoing leader Stephen Harper addressed the caucus in a speech that was “well received”, according to sources cited by CBC News.

Ambrose said she’s confident the party can enter a new era with a new tone and a new attitude, with their sights set on the next election in 2019.

There were eight candidates in total for the post, including Alberta MP Mike Lake; Diane Finley, Rob Nicholson and Erin O’Toole from Ontario; and Manitoba’s Candice Bergen.