Shortly after being stripped of his industry critic portfolio, Conservative MP Maxime Bernier lost his seat on the industry committee as well.

A report was quietly tabled in the House of Commons on June 14, two days after Bernier got the boot from Conservative leader Andrew Scheer’s shadow cabinet. It called for Conservative MP Mike Lake to replace Bernier on the committee, while Tory MP Matt Jeneroux — who is also taking over Bernier’s former critic portfolio on an interim basis — will take over for Bernier as vice-chair.

The change, unlike when Scheer announced Bernier was kicked out of shadow cabinet, was not accompanied by any press release from the leader.

“It’s a great committee and [they are doing] a lot of good work…over there, but I won’t be part of that anymore. I will find other ways to help the party,” Bernier said.

“It’s a decision of my leader and I will work as a Conservative member of Parliament and do our best to be re-elected next time.”

While critics generally sit as vice-chairs on the committees that compliment their file, the Tories have two other seats on every committee that can be filled with other members of caucus. However, Bernier wasn’t only knocked down from being vice-chair after getting the boot from shadow cabinet — he’s been wiped from the committee altogether.

According to Scheer, the whole hubbub boils down to a book. Bernier, who ran for leadership against Scheer, had re-circulated a controversial chapter of a book he wrote about his political life. The chapter dealt with supply management, but also included Bernier’s thoughts about “fake conservatives” in the leadership race. The chapter was initially made public on Bernier’s publisher’s website in April, but he republished it on his personal website June 5 — despite making a commitment to caucus that he wouldn’t do so.

“When a member of our Shadow Cabinet makes a commitment to the rest of the Caucus then that commitment must be respected,” Scheer told reporters June 13.

Removing members from their committees is one tool the party whip can deploy when doling out discipline. Liberal MP Scott Simms, for example, was removed as chair of the fisheries committee when he voted with the Conservatives on the Canada Summer Jobs issue last year. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also came under fire for kicking longtime NDP MP David Christopherson off the procedure committee after he broke ranks on the same issue. Singh later backed down and reinstated Christopherson, but Simms’ punishment has stuck.

“If [Bernier] knew what was in store before he spoke, fair ball. If he didn’t, that’s too bad,” Simms said.

While Simms acknowledged all parties practice discipline, he suggested the House should consider changing the way it sets up committee membership.

“I think one of the things we should consider is what [they] do in the United Kingdom. They elect chairs of the committee…it’s up to the House. I think we may want to consider that,” Simms said.

Bernier, however, seems to be thriving after having what he called an “eventful week.” He fired off fundraising emails just two short days after the news broke that he was wiped from shadow cabinet and, 24 hours later, had already raised a cool $30,000.

He also sent out a tweet on June 14 assuring his supporters.

Thank you to all those who have expressed their support during the past few days. Be assured that I’m as committed as ever to defending our conservative principles of freedom and small government, and that I will continue to fight for them in whatever position I find myself. — Maxime Bernier (@MaximeBernier) June 14, 2018

Some supporters have been unhappy with Scheer after he made the decision to give Bernier the boot. On Twitter, users called the decision “disgraceful” and “foolish.” Others pointed out the fact that Scheer only beat Bernier by about two per cent in the Tory leadership — and on the last ballot.

Some even turned the feud between the leader and the almost-leader into a meme.

Andrew Scheer has gone too far. We are calling for Maxime Bernier’s immediate reinstatement to the CPC Shadow Cabinet. Spread the word! It’s time to activate the grassroots, it’s time to stand up and make our voices heard! #cdnpoli #standwithmax pic.twitter.com/JJZyCSn2oJ — StandWithMax (@standwithmax) June 13, 2018

When pressed on party unison, however, longtime Conservative MP and former leadership candidate Erin O’Toole insisted it isn’t an issue.

“We’re united. We’re united,” he said.

O’Toole did acknowledge, however, that Bernier has struggled to let the momentum of his leadership campaign fizzle.

“I’ve said for a while it’s been hard for Max to leave the campaign behind,” O’Toole said.

Follow @atRachelGilmore