John A. Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister, introduced residential schools and a suite of other racist policies that killed Indigenous people. Louis Riel is a Métis leader and founder of Manitoba who Macdonald's government executed. Both "were Canadians who made good and bad choices," O'Toole said.

Newly minted Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole's ability to manage social conservatives in his caucus and party will be put to an early test this fall when the Liberal government reintroduces legislation on medical assistance in dying.