Erin O’Toole talks about vaccines, abortion and Doug Ford in an animated interview with Star reporters

During a broad discussion with the Star’s editorial board on Tuesday, Erin O’Toole described himself as a new kind of conservative leader who is trying to build trust among progressive voters.

When challenged by Star journalists on vaccines, reproductive rights, climate policy and other issues, O’Toole argued that despite past failures, Erin O’Toole, who believes in a woman’s right to choose and carbon price, among other moderate positions. , is the real Erin O’Toole.

Here are three highlights from the conversation:

During an exchange, Star columnist Althia Raj lobbied O’Toole on how, if he became prime minister, he would keep a conservative group in line and ensure that MPs did nothing to erode reproductive rights. It just wouldn’t happen, he replied, dodging Raj’s questions about how exactly it would be secured.

In another exchange, O’Toole was asked if he knows what percentage of his candidates are vaccinated. When he wouldn’t say it, a lively conversation ensued with Star’s editors.

At one point, Star columnist Martin Regg Cohn asked O’Toole how he felt about not getting the endorsement (until now) of Doug Ford. Here’s how the Conservative leader responded: