Bernier ahead in battle of ideas
OTTAWA • In a Conservative leadership race that has been largely devoid of major promises by most candidates, Maxime Bernier is looking to win support early on through a battle of ideas.
He made a promise Tuesday, this time vowing to “free the maple syrup” by allowing Canadian producers to freely export maple syrup to other provinces and international markets.
The Quebec MP has been making major policy announcements every few weeks over the summer, including: promising to eliminate supply management in the dairy, poultry and egg sectors; calling for a freetrade agreement with China; and pledging to privatize Canada Post and the country’s airports.
Known for his expensive suits and playboy image, Bernier has been looking to win or impress Conservative supporters early in the race with plenty of policy substance — especially his support for free-market principles.
“If you want to convince Conservatives and Canadians to be on your side, I think they must know what you will do for them. That’s why it’s important for me to bring these new ideas,” he said Tuesday.
“Everybody will know what Maxime Bernier is standing for, what I believe, what I think will be right for this party. I think it’s essential if you want to be the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada to bring ideas and (have) these debates.”
His approach has been far different from fellow leadership contenders, who have held off on major promises.
Most have taken a slow and steady approach, believing they are better off making policy announcements in the fall or winter, when more people will be paying attention.
Bernier is also directly challenging the occasional controversial proposal from other candidates, including Kellie Leitch asking Conservative members whether new immigrants and refugees coming to Canada should be vetted for “anti-Canadian values” as part of normal screening.
He said Leitch’s idea of a possible “values test” for immigrants isn’t needed. Rather, there are “fundamental Canadian values” that must be protected and respected, including equality before the law, equality between men and women, tolerance and freedom.
Bernier said much like supply management for dairy, poultry and eggs, the maple syrup industry in Quebec is controlled by a “cartel” that unfairly prevents producers from exercising what he calls a constitutional right to freely sell their products to other provinces.
He wants the Trudeau government to repeal the cabinet order that gives the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers monopolistic control over syrup exports.
IF YOU WANT TO CONVINCE CONSERVATIVES AND CANADIANS TO BE ON YOUR SIDE, I THINK THEY MUST KNOW WHAT YOU WILL DO FOR THEM. —MP MAXIME BERNIER