Describing himself as a “proud Progressive Conservative,” Richmond-Arthabasca MP Allen Reiss said he respected the choice Conservative party members made Saturday, in which Poulievre scored a resounding first-ballot victory to become leader .
	“However, some of my political ideals, values ​​and beliefs are not compatible with the new path our political formation has taken,” Rayes said in a statement posted on social media.
	The announcement came shortly after Poilievre unveiled his leadership team inside and outside the House of Commons as he continued to shape the party to his liking ahead of Parliament’s return next week.
	The new, nine-member team includes Pierre Paul-Hus as the Conservatives’ new lieutenant governor in Quebec — a role Rayes previously filled on two separate occasions, including leading this year’s race.
	Rayes stepped down from the role in February to help former Quebec premier Jean Charest’s leadership campaign, during which Rayes publicly criticized Poilievre, saying he was sowing division within the party and among Canadians.
	Charest ended up a distant second in Saturday’s lead.
	Poilievre didn’t hold back when asked about Rayes’ departure during a brief news conference in which the new Conservative leader accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of not doing enough to help Canadians struggling with record inflation rates.
	“He decided not to fight Justin Trudeau’s inflation,” Poilievre said in French.
	“We are working to fight the inflationary deficits and taxes imposed by Justin Trudeau.  Citizens in Mr. Rayes’ riding agree: They voted me into the leadership race.  And I think all the Conservatives who remain in the caucus agree.”
	Poilievre on Monday met with the party’s Quebec deputies, the majority of whom had backed Charest, before attending his first national convention.  Reyes was not present.
	Later that evening, Poilievre tried to reach Rayes by phone, but he was unavailable to answer, according to a spokesman from Rayes’ office.
	Fifty-three percent of the 663 leadership ballots cast by Conservative members in Richmond-Arthabasca were for Poilievre, according to the party’s official results, compared to 42 percent for Charest.
	Even as Rayes announced his departure from the Tories, Poilievre continued to put his stamp on the party by naming longtime Alberta MP Tim Uppal and Melissa Lantsman, a first-time MP from the Greater Toronto Area, as deputy leaders.
	Former Conservative leader Andrew Scheer has also been tapped to serve as Opposition leader, making him Poilievre’s chief deputy in the House of Commons, which is scheduled to return to regular sittings next week after the summer recess. 
	All three were strong supporters of Poilievre during the leadership campaign.
	This report by The Canadian Press was first published on September 13, 2022.
	— With files by Stephanie Taylor