Leona Alleslev steps down as Conservative deputy leader, backs MacKay's leadership bid

Ontario MPLeona Alleslev says she is stepping down as deputy leader of the Conservative Party and throwing her support behind Peter MacKay'scampaign to lead the party.

Ina resignation letter addressed to Conservative Leader Andrew Scheeron Sunday, Alleslev saidshe wanted to free herself to participate in the party's leadership race.

"The Conservative Party of Canada is in the process of choosing a new leader that will guide us through the nation's next chapter," Alleslev wrote.

"This is a decision that is too important for me to stand to the side."

Today, Alleslev tweeted her support for MacKay, the former Progressive Conservative Party leaderand cabinet minister in Stephen Harper's government.

Alleslev, who represents the riding ofAuroraOak RidgesRichmond Hill, was elected as a Liberal MP butcrossed the floor and joined the Tories in 2018.

The formerRoyal Canadian Air Force member and business owner cited the Trudeau government'shandling of the economy, tax reform andforeign affairs, along with"inadequate" military spending, as herreasons for crossing the floor.

One of MacKay'sleadership rivals,Durham MP Erin O'Toole, was among the politicians whohelped woo Alleslev to the Conservatives.

Scheer chose Alleslev as his deputy leader in November 2019 following a bruising defeat in thefederal election, when the Conservatives failed to defeata Liberal Party weakened byJustin Trudeau'sblackface scandal.

Alleslev quickly caused a stir when, asked about Scheerrefusing to march in Pride parades,she equated participatingin Pride events with taking part inSt. Patrick's Day parades.

In her resignation letter, Alleslev praised Scheer for his leadership and thanked him for the opportunity to hold the high-ranking position.

"In this role, you gave me the opportunity to influence the direction not only of our party but also of our country," Alleslev wrote.

"Together, our Conservative team has held the government to account and challenged them to address critical policy flaws that they had failed to consider or deliberately neglected."

Four candidates are in the running to become the Conservative Party's next leader:MacKay, O'Toole, rookie MP for HastingsLennox and AddingtonDerek Sloan and Toronto lawyer Leslyn Lewis.

The party had planned toelect its new leader at a convention on June 27, but thatplan was put on hold because of COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings.

Instead, Conservative Party members will vote by mail-in ballot by August 21.

MacKay campaign says no deal was made for endorsement

Should MacKay win, he'll have to appoint someone to lead the party in the House of Commons in his stead, as he does not currently have a seat.

Given Alleslev's past role within caucus, many asked whether shealready has been tapped for that job.

MacKay's campaign said today thatAlleslev wasn't promised ahigh-profile position in the House of Commons in exchange for supporting MacKay for the leadership.

"Absolutely not," MacKay campaign spokesman Chisholm Pothier said in an email.

"Those are decisions for once he's leader."

Alleslev was billed by Scheer as sharing some valuable political qualitieswith the party's former deputy leader, LisaRaitt anotherfemale MP from a Greater Toronto Area seat.

Alleslev was held up as proof the party did still have support in the area and could win more in the next election.

MacKay's campaignsaid much the same about Alleslev on Monday.

"She's a great person to have supporting us. Served the country in the military, accomplished in her career after that and before politics, and was elected as a Conservative in a suburban Toronto riding, where very few did and we need to next election," Pothier said.