Former Conservative MP and Stephen Harper-era minister Peter MacKay endorsed Tory leader Pierre Poilievre at a rally in Trenton, NS, on Wednesday night.
MacKay was an MP from 1997 to 2015, and served as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Minister of National Defence, and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Harper’s cabinet.
“I don't think I've seen this many people in this rink since a Platinum Blonde concert in 1988,” remarked MacKay from the stage.
“There is a strong tradition of pragmatic conservatism here. It’s in our DNA.”
“I’ve been to a few political rallies over the years, but I'll tell you, this one has the energy and it has a feeling of hope and change — and that's because Pierre Poilievre is delivering in his campaign," MacKay told the crowd of supporters.
“He's delivering hope — hope for change in Canada — thoughtful, sensible cost-cutting and policies that are going to make this country strong again.”
“I've known Pierre for over 20 years. He's been a consistent advocate for fiscal accountability, for growth, for prosperity in our economy, for a healthy democracy, and a strong advocate for our Canadian Armed Forces.”
“You see in him a man filled with optimism and ideas. You can see a leader with a plan to make life better and more affordable for Canadians — a leader who is tested, steady, and ready to be Prime Minister of Canada.”
“Canada desperately needs change — real change — and during this election, we've seen a Liberal leader that has not changed," continued MacKay.
"He and his Liberal team are offering more of the same old Liberal policy, the same old playbook, written by the same Trudeau advisors who got us into this mess in the first place.”
“Changing the conductor won't change the music. We need a whole new orchestra in Canada.”
