Bernier defends ‘fake’ Tory comment
MP promises to publish book where he impugns Scheer’s leadership win
OTTAWA— Conservative MP Maxime Bernier says he stands by the suggestion Andrew Scheer won the leadership thanks to “fake” Conservatives and still intends to one day publish the book where he made those allegations.
Bernier said neither Scheer nor the Conservative caucus pushed him to postpone publishing the book, titled Doing Politics Differently: My Vision for Canada.
“No, absolutely not,” Bernier told the Star Thursday morning, when asked directly if Scheer demanded he shelve his plans for a November release.
“It is my own decision. I’m very proud of that. And I decided to postpone that indefinitely for the harmony in our party, so.”
An excerpt from the book was published April 10.
In it, Bernier accused Quebec’s dairy farmer lobby of sign- ing up “fake Conservatives” to block his leadership bid. Bernier said because of his opposition to the supply-managed dairy system, the group threw their support behind Scheer.
“(Scheer) did what he thought he had to do to get the most votes, and that is fair game in a democratic system,” Bernier wrote. “But this also helps explain why so many people are so cynical about politics, and with good reason.”
Asked if he stands by his comments in the excerpt, Bernier said “for sure.”
“What I wrote, I believe in that,” Bernier said. “And the book will be published one day, and you have to be patient.”
Bernier lost the leadership by less than two percentage points, thanks in part to Scheer’s surprising support in Quebec where the supply management issue is a political third rail.
After the May 2017 convention, Bernier’s camp initially cast doubts about the vote, but the Conservative party stood by the results.
Bernier announced he was “postponing indefinitely” the book on April 18, after the Conservative caucus met in Ottawa.
“I decided at the caucus meeting to speak with my people and tell them the declaration that I put on Twitter (later that day), to postpone (the book),” Bernier said.
“And they were very happy. I received a standing ovation after that.”