Scheer talks carbon tax, doesn’t mention Bernier
HALIFAX— Andrew Scheer took aim at “political correctness” and the Liberals’ carbon pricing plan in a speech Friday that previewed the Conservatives’ election year priorities.
At a gathering of thousands of partisans in Halifax, Scheer put some red meat on the bones of his vision for a Conservative government in 2019.
The rookie Conservative leader emphasized outreach to Quebec, dredged up several recent Liberal ethical violations, aand reiterated opposition to the government’s carbon pricing scheme. While not mentioning him by name, Scheer also aappeared to indirectly respond to criticism from former Con- servative MP Maxime Bernier, who quit the caucus Thursday, vowing to start a rival party.
“I’ve travelled all over this country. There is a carbon tax revolt brewing,” Scheer said to applause from his party’s grassroots.
“Conservatives know the carbon tax isn’t just bad for big business; it’s bad for absolutely everyone. And that’s why, come 2019, my first act as prime minister will be to get rid of (it) once and for all.”
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Party insiders told reporters that there was a lot riding on Scheer’s keynote address, given that this policy convention is a springboard for the party’s pitch to Canadians in the leadup to the 2019 election.
Quebec received special attention. Scheer was introduced by both Alain Reyes, his Quebec lieutenant, and Richard Martel, a former hockey coach who won the recent byelection in Chicoutimi—Le Fjord. In his speech, Scheer pledged to create a single tax return form for Quebec residents — they currently file both provincial and federal tax returns — and promised to respect the “autonomy” of provincial governments.
Scheer’s speech returned several times to the notion of “political correctness.” He criticized the city of Victoria’s decision to remove a statue of John A. Macdonald, calling critics of Macdonald’s policies against First Nations “radical voices.”
“If we look back on our history and our leaders and only see the blemishes, we miss out on a beautiful story of a country that has progressed into one of the safest, freest and most prosperous in the world,” Scheer said.
It’s a criticism that may have been a response to Bernier, who denounced Victoria’s decision last week. While Bernier was gone from the party, he was not forgotten at the convention.
Bernier’s office said it was “impossible” for the Beauce MP to speak with the Star on Friday, but he made the rounds on national television, doubling down on his criticism of Scheer and his former party.
Larry Miller, the Ontario MP known as the “Keeper of the Flame” in the Conservative caucus, called Bernier’s decision to quit the party disappointing. But Miller said he doesn’t think it will lead to the kind of fragmentation conservative movements have experi- enced in the past in Canada.
“There’s nothing wrong with having differences of opinion. But Max had his chance in the leadership race,” Miller told the Star. “Get over it. This isn’t about you — it’s about the movement.”
Still, it’s clear Bernier’s ideas still resonated with at least some at the convention. During a policy workshop, opponents of Canada’s supply management system were incensed that time ran out before their motion could be considered.
During Scheer’s speech, Bernier again took to Twitter. “To all those who feel let down by this party, I say: you will be let down again and again. Don’t waste your time,” he said. “It’s time for a real conservative party defending real conservative values. The sooner this gets set- tled, the more chances we will have to defeat Justin Trudeau.”
Some delegates accused the party of rigging the process — which officials denied — while one said he would join Bernier’s nascent political movement.
Still, Conservative MPs and operatives maintained that Bernier’s political appeal is rather narrow — especially in his home province of Quebec, where supply management is deeply entrenched.
Even Bernier’s former supporters seemed to be rallying around the party.
One, Alupa Clarke, the MP for Beauport-Limoilou, worried Bernier’s exit could jeopardize his own seat. “I want to tell Maxime, because of you I might not win (in 2019) because it’s very tight. I won with 31 per cent, and it’s a battle every day there.”