Bernier, MacInnis talk People’s Party of Canada in North Battleford

Asked why differentiates the PPC from the Tory’s, MacInnis said the Conservative’s platform is not overly different from the governing Liberals.

“If you look at most of their policy, they still want to stay in the Paris Accord, they still want to stay with the tax system set up as it is right now and they are just as good as spending your money as anyone else,” he said. “We are also not going to pander for anybody and that is one thing I have seen Scheer do quite a bit.”

Asked on controversy that has sprung up around the party and its candidates or things they have said, MacInnis said none of it is representative of the PPC.

He said the accusations of racism, bigotry or transphobia are false and that the party is here to “represent all Canadians equally.”

“We don’t believe anyone should get extra rights over anyone else,” he said. “I think the rules should apply equally to everyone.”

MacInnis said efforts need to be made locally and nationally to spur the large economic drivers of the riding – oil and agriculture.

The diplomatic row with China, he said, is hurting the industry and stressed the need for a resolution sooner rather than later. He said the need to reignite the oil and gas sector is also of utmost importance for not only the region and province, but the nation as a whole.

“If we have to enact the Charter to [build pipelines], it is going to get done,” he said. “It is in the national interest. Canada needs the income.”

He said good jobs will help counter rising crime rates in the area, too.

As to how the economy needs to be balanced with the environment, MacInnis said he is unsure if climate change is human-caused or simply changing.

“It is a global issue but we are such a small portion of that that it makes no sense for us to hamper our economy in order to solve what other countries are not doing,” he said.

His message to voters is to explore the PPC platform and vote intelligently.

“Take a look at what the party is representing and take a look at what every party is representing,” he said. “If you stand behind what that party is doing and you vote for them. The voter is always right.”

People’s Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier shook hands with supporters during a stop in North Battleford. (Tyler Marr/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Leader Maxime Bernier is on tour in Saskatchewan to talk about his party’s platform.

“There are people who are real conservative, and I’m telling them if you want to vote for your values, we are the only free market political party,” he said.

The party’s policies, he said, are based on individual freedom, personal responsibility, respect and fairness, things he called “real Canadian values.”

“Our only challenge is [people] must know our platform. As soon as they know our platform, it is great for us,” he said.

Bernier is a former MP in the Conservative Party and withdrew in 2018 after running as a candidate in the Tory leadership race to form the PPC. He does not believe his party will cause any split of the Conservative vote in its efforts to gain supporters.

“We are gathering votes from people who didn’t vote in the last election that are fed up with traditional politicians,” he said, adding that around 30 per cent of the population didn’t vote in 2015.

“A lot of these people are coming because we are different. We are a principled alternative and we are authentic, and they like that.”

Bernier said the party is attracting supporters who used to vote for the Liberals and NDP as well as former CPC voters.

During his presentation in North Battleford, he spoke about a number of issues, including his plan to not impose a carbon tax on Canadians.

“No carbon tax; no Paris Accord; no more regulation,” he said.

Bernier said while Conservative leader Andrew Scheer won’t impose a carbon tax, Scheer will impose regulations on businesses, something the PPC won’t do. He added the party is in favour of provinces’ individual efforts to help fight climate change.

In an effort to help reduce crime, Bernier said he wants to “reinvest” in the RCMP so they have sufficient resources.

On the issue of immigration, Bernier said the party aims to reduce Canada’s immigration numbers and bring in more skilled workers, not stop immigration completely.

The federal government announced in the fall of 2018 that Canada will increase its intake of new immigrants to 350,000 by 2021 in a multi-year plan.

“Instead of having 350,000 immigrants a year, that’s too much for our country,” Bernier said. “We need to be able to integrate these people. These people need to be able to participate in our society. We need to have more economic immigrants and fewer refugees.”

Bernier said the party wants to see 100,000 to 150,000 new immigrants a year instead.

The leader hopes to participate in a national debate to increase the PPC’s visibility and explain its platform before the federal election on Oct. 21.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

by Angela Brown and Tyler Marr

Bernier, MacInnis talk People’s Party of Canada in North Battleford

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