Maxime Bernier visits southern Alberta during tour for People’s Party of Canada - Lethbridge
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Lockdowns, pipelines and the separatist movement were just some of the many items discussed by People’s Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier during his visit to Lethbridge on Sunday.
Bernier, a former MP and cabinet minister for the Conservative Party of Canada, said he is aiming to spread the PPC’s message across the country ahead of the next federal election.
Read more: Maxime Bernier returns to Montreal day after his arrest in Manitoba
Dozens of people formed a crowd at Henderson Lake Park for the meet and greet.
“For me, it’s very important to be in Alberta,” he said. “We have a lot of support here.”
In 2019, the party ran for the first time, receiving 1.6 per cent of the vote. With the possibility of an election as early as the fall, Bernier said the party is confident in its growing support and chances of winning seats this time around.
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“It took 20 years and six elections for the Green Party of Canada to have more than 1.6 per cent of the vote, and we did that in a year,” Bernier said.
“We are fighting for a government in Ottawa that will respect the Constitution, respect the taxpayers,” he said of the party’s platform.
“We are the only political party saying no to the Paris Accord. We won’t impose any carbon tax or regulations, and also we are the only party that wants to change the equalization formula and be less generous.”
Read more: Maxime Bernier released after arrest in Manitoba for violating public health orders
Bernier spoke against Bill C-36, which looked to amend the Criminal Code of Canada to recognize internet hate speech.
“We are speaking for more freedom, we are against censorship, and I think everybody must be free to say what they want to say on social media,” he said.
“That’s not happening right now. We have some censorship from the big (tech companies) and the federal government,” he said.
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Specific to southern Alberta, Bernier’s support of pipeline projects and lowering equalization payments are items he believes will resonate with residents along with more autonomy for the provincial government while finding solutions to end the separatist movement.
1:21 Leaders’ Debate: Singh tells Bernier he shouldn’t be welcomed on debate stage Leaders’ Debate: Singh tells Bernier he shouldn’t be welcomed on debate stage – Oct 7, 2019
“I understand that there’s a separatist movement here in Alberta,” Bernier said. “I’m a federalist. I believe in this country.
“We want to have a decentralized federal government, and I think people appreciate that here.” Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: “We want to have a decentralized federal government, and I think people appreciate that here.”
Kimmie Hovan, the Lethbridge candidate for the PPC, was also present at Sunday’s meet and greet. She is jumping into the political realm for the first time.
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“In the last election, I had a really hard time deciding where to vote,” Hovan explained. “As I did some research on Maxime Bernier as well as the People’s Party of Canada, I fell in love with the party and their platform.
“It’s a new thing for me. I’m excited for the challenge, and I’m exited to learn (and) have a voice for those around us.” Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: “It’s a new thing for me. I’m excited for the challenge, and I’m exited to learn (and) have a voice for those around us.”
The PPC visited Taber and Medicine Hat before leaving the province.
Squire acclaimed to represent People’s Party of Canada in the next federal election
Squire acclaimed to represent People’s Party of Canada in the next federal election
(An earlier version of this story had an incorrect first name for Brantford-Brant MP Phil McColeman)
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A third candidate has entered the race to become the next MP for Brantford-Brant.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser. Squire acclaimed to represent People’s Party of Canada in the next federal election Back to video
Cole Squire was recently acclaimed as the People’s Party of Canada candidate in Brantford Brant.
“I’m very proud to be acclaimed to represent Maxime Bernier’s People’s Party of Canada,” Squire said in a statement. “Maxime’s voice and message represent the opinions and perspectives of thousands of Canadians across the country who feel like the establishment political parties have ignored them in favour of identity politics, pandering and globalist ideologies.
“We will put Canada first and be staunch defenders of our God-given and constitutional rights and freedoms.”
A resident of Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Squire is a graduate of Brantford Collegiate Institute and the personal support worker program at Mohawk College.
He worked at Brantford General Hospital for six years before enrolling at Six Nations Polytechnic. After a year at Six Nations Polytechnic, Squire transferred to McMaster University, where he is studying political science.
Squire and his mother, Holly Frank, co-founded the Six Nations Imagination Library, which helps build the reading and literacy skills of children prior to their first years of school.
Squire said he has been involved with the “No More Lockdown” demonstrations largely because of the impact the COVID lockdowns were having on communities, especially students and small businesses.
Maxime Bernier’s court case pushed back in Manitoba
ST. PIERRE-JOLYS – People’s Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier’s court case in Manitoba has been adjourned until late August.
On Tuesday morning during Bernier’s first court date in St. Pierre-Jolys, Man., provincial judge Sidney Lerner agreed to adjourn the matter to August 24 while Crown attorneys and Bernier’s lawyers disclose information with each other.
Bernier was arrested by RCMP in Manitoba on June 11, interrupting his ‘Mad Max Manitoba Tour’ that included him speaking at several anti-restriction rallies throughout the southern parts of the province.
RCMP charged Bernier with contravening a provision of the Public Health Act for assembling in a gathering at an outdoor public place and failing to self-isolate when coming to Manitoba.
The charge has not been tested in court.
Bernier was later released after being detained by St. Pierre-Jolys RCMP for eight hours and paying a cash bail of $1,000. He also had to promise not to break any Manitoba laws.
While Bernier did not appear in court on Tuesday, Alberta-based lawyer Stephen Whitehead represented Bernier in court via teleconference.
Whitehead told the court Bernier will also be represented in court by Leighton Grey – a senior partner at Alberta-based law firm Grey Wowk Spencer LLP.
A spokesperson for the People’s Party of Canada told CTV News these lawyers were retained by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms to represent Bernier on its behalf.