O'toole pledges to end federal `bullying' under a Conservative government

Conservative Leader Erin O'toole says he's confident his party will maintain broad support across Alberta — and possibly turn the only non-conservative riding in the province blue — if an election is called in short order.

“I think we'll not only hold our seats ... but we're going to go after the last one, because I can't see anyone living in this province that hasn't seen the attack on Alberta's prosperity and its way of life that has been conducted by (Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau from his first minutes in office,” O'toole said Thursday in Calgary.

The only federal riding in Alberta that didn't go Conservative in the 2019 election was Edmonton Strathcona in the province's capital. That seat is held by NDP MP Heather Mcpherson.

O'toole said a Conservative-led country would restore fairness to Albertans who have paid more than their “fair share” to Canada. Instead of “bullying and lecturing ” from the federal government, O'toole pledged Conservatives would listen to Albertans and protect their autonomy.

Ending the “mistreatment to western Canadians” starts with reforming the fiscal stabilization program, said O'toole.

O'toole's visit to Calgary signals a return to where it all started. The Ontario MP began his bid to win the leadership of the federal party in the city in January 2020 before the arrival of COVID -19.

Since then, he has spent much of his time as leader speaking to business groups and holding town halls online.

That has no doubt been challenging getting more Canadians to know who he is, which has become increasingly important as speculation swirls that Trudeau is preparing to call an election.

O'toole believes Canadians are ready for change. “Canadians, including here in Alberta, want to see the country move forward again, want to see an economic recovery, including in our energy sector,” he said.

O'toole's stop in Calgary followed an appearance Wednesday by Trudeau. During his visit, Trudeau met with Premier Jason Kenney, a key ally for O'toole during his leadership race.

During O'toole's visit, he is to attend the Calgary Stampede and appear at a Stampede Social with Calgary Centre MP Greg Mclean to ramp up support if an election comes.

Following his visit to Calgary, O'toole will head to British Columbia and Saskatchewan.