PPC leader Maxime Bernier has addressed often cited fears of “splitting the vote” by conservative-leaning people who support his platform — but don’t want another Liberal term.
Bernier told the Western Standard his party will hold Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to account if he gets elected, and minimize equalization transfers from Western Canada to Quebec.
Conservative Canadians often acknowledge they like what the PPC stands for, but if they vote for the PPC, it’s comparable to a vote for Liberal leader Mark Carney, who succeeded Justin Trudeau as prime minister on March 9.
Poilievre was well ahead of the Liberals in the polls, but the Grits have gained ground since Carney was selected as leader. Some polls show blue in the lead, some show red — either way, it appears to be a tight race.
“I will say to conservatives and voters that they like us on policies, but they are afraid to split the vote: there's no split the vote,” Bernier told the Western Standard.
“My answer, it's very clear about that. Who is splitting the vote? Look, you're not happy with Pierre Poilievre because he's splitting the Liberal votes.”
“That’s his job. That's what he's doing right now. We're not splitting any vote. Our policies are very different than the one of the Conservatives. We are the real conservatives. We are fighting for real conservative values, where they are popular, and where they are not popular.”
“What I'm saying today to the conservative voters, I said that eight years ago. So it's time to wake up. We can be your insurance policy, that if Poilievre is in government, we will push him in the right direction — we will support him when he will have real conservative policies and we will shame him when he won't.”
“And I'm telling you, people in Western Canada: the Conservative Party of Canada is taking your vote for granted. Wake up. Pierre Poilievre is not speaking about the equalization formula. I'm saying that we must substantially reduce the equalization payments. I'm saying that in French, in Quebec, I've seen that all across the country.”
Bernier said the unity in Canada is at risk now, specifically between Western Canada and the east, impacted by factors like mass immigration, Trudeau, the Alberta independence movement and the aforementioned equalization payments.
“They're tired of being there for Eastern Canada,” said Bernier.
“Poilievre is not speaking about that.”
“You out west, you want to get rid of the Paris Accords. Poilievre is not speaking about that.”
“Poilievre is okay with net zero in 2050. We are not.”
“There's no climate emergency.”
“So I'm telling them there's no risk. If you vote for what you believe, you will have more chances to have what you want. But if you vote Poilievre, you have another big, fat government.”
“Poilievre and Trudeau are the same on the most important issues to you people out west.
“That's why I'm saying the People’s party is the last chance for this country, the last hope for this country. If you don't vote in line with your values, you know this country is going down the drain.”
“We are there to fight for you and for all Canadians. So that's what I’m saying to conservative voters, wake up, smell the coffee, and fall in line with your ideas and values.”
