Trost not ‘seriously’ mulling People’s Party run in 2019 election
SASKATOON Brad Trost says he has been approached by former Conservative Party colleague Maxime Bernier’s new political party, but is “not in any way seriously ” considering running for re-election under the People’s Party of Canada banner.
The well-known social conservative has represented Saskatoon– University since 2004, but will be out of a job next October after losing the riding ’s hotly contested nomination race to Saskatchewan Party MLA Corey Tochor earlier this year.
In an interview this week, Trost refused to rule anything out — “never say never” — and acknowledged that while he and Bernier disagree on some issues, their thinking on economic matters tends to align, and they have a good relationship.
He is exhausted with federal politics and not especially keen on the organizational task of campaigning for a new political party, even though “people naturally would think I’d be open to it,” he said.
“I’m not going anywhere. It would have to take something major to go do that.”
Bernier, the Quebec MP who narrowly lost to Andrew Scheer during the Conservative leadership race last year, broke from caucus to launch the People’s Party last month after refusing to toe the party line on protectionist dairy industry policies.
Asked about an overture toward Trost, People’s Party spokesman Martin Masse said Bernier has not personally encouraged any Conservative MP to break ranks and join his party, but noted it is “likely” that one or more grassroots organizers approached him.
Those organizers are already at work despite the party not yet being registered with Elections Canada. Masse said the response in Saskatchewan, while difficult to quantify, has been “one of the most encouraging ” nationwide.
Ethan Erkaletian is one of the volunteers behind the party’s movement in the province, helping to organize meetings for “disaffected conservatives” like himself and others interested in helping fundraise and build local organizations,
Asked about Bernier’s appeal, Erkaletian said most political parties in Canada are “focus groups masquerading as political parties,” and the People’s Party’s “courage of conviction” and free market economics are a refreshing antidote.
The People’s Party plans to run candidates in every one of the 338 federal ridings in the next general election, scheduled for October 2019. Masse said the aim now is to build riding associations, with candidate selection beginning in winter or spring.
Recent history shows that candidates not affiliated with the Liberals, Conservatives, New Democrats or Bloc Quebecois have struggled. Independent victories are rare, while the Green Party has only elected one MP in its 35-year existence.
While Conservatives are unhappy about the possibility of a split right-wing vote, in an interview with Postmedia News last week, Scheer said he is confident the party will remain united following Bernier’s departure.
Erkaletian said he’s hopeful about the People’s Party’s electoral chances in Saskatchewan, especially considering the interest he has seen online and an energy “unlike anything that’s happened in Canadian politics in the past.”