SUDBURY -- The election of Erin O'Toole as the new leader of the Conservative Party of Canada is getting a positive reaction from party supporters in Sudbury.

"Even in politics, he worked his way up, he didn't have his success handed to him on a celebrity basis, he didn't come with a trust fund when he was born, so I think Canadians will be able to identify with that," said Fred Slade, vice-president of the local riding association.

There is also positive reaction coming from North Bay.

"Erin O'Toole is a great guy," said Tory Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli. "My record will show that I donated to Erin. I worked with Erin. I have worked in the legislature with his father John O'Toole for 6 1/2 years. They are a great family."

Out on the streets, Sudbury resident James White said he likes O'Toole, but said he wasn't his pick.

"I think Erin O'Toole has the right idea, whether he fulfills it or not is another story," White said. "But he is headed in the right direction, that's what I believe. So good to him. Peter MacKay likely would have been better, but what can you do?"

Slade said O'Toole has strong ideas for the future.

"I think one of the most important things was his success right across the country," he said. 

O'Toole said he is devoted to rebuilding the party in areas where it is weak. He has four weeks to get the party ready before the resumption of Parliament.