‘Mad Max’ Bernier says Tory leadership ad is effective despite mockery from foes

Nick Kouvalis, one of the architects of ex-Toronto mayor Rob Ford’s election victory and a current strategist for one of Bernier’s opponents, MP Kellie Leitch, mocked him on Twitter.

“He’s mad,” Kouvalis tweeted, “Very mad. Intensely mad. Hot like the sun mad. Let’s all get mad together. Maple syrup cartels have put us over the edge.”

That comment referred to Bernier’s position that Quebec’s maple syrup production should no longer be controlled by a provincial association and should be opened up to the free market.

Bernier has also called for the end of Canada’s supply management system for dairy, eggs and poultry, the privatization of Canada Post and for the phasing-out of the CRTC as the country’s telecom regulator.

His attempt at photo editing isn’t the first time he has used a gag to get voters’ attention.

In his last election campaign, Bernier created a musical jingle that was also ridiculed.

The Tory leadership candidate told reporters Tuesday he was “absolutely not” put off by such criticism.

“When I broadcast my jingle during the last election campaign, everyone laughed,” he said.

“Today, if people laugh (at the photo) even better, but the message is getting through. And what’s important is that when people talk about it, they ask why he’s so angry, and so the message I want to send is getting out.”

The candidates vying to replace Stephen Harper meet for the first time for a debate on Nov. 9 in Saskatoon. There are five debates in total.

So far the candidates aside from Leitch and Bernier are Tony Clement, Michael Chong, Deepak Obhrai and Andrew Scheer.

Melanie Marquis, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

‘Mad Max’ Bernier says Tory leadership ad is effective despite mockery from foes

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