Conservative leadership candidate vows to support democracy

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This article was published 19/04/2022 (1426 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Conservative Party of Canada leadership candidate Roman Baber made a stop in Brandon on Tuesday to spread his message of “democracy.”

“I intend on making this a cross-country tour, to make it to as many communities as possible. I know that many Manitobans are concerned about the erosion of democracy in Canada and I wanted to get out to Brandon to meet as many people as possible,” he said during an interview with the Sun.

Baber, an independent member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament, held a meet-and-greet at The Dock on Princess. The stop marks the first time a Conservative leadership candidate has stopped in Brandon this race. Five people came to the event and he said the reception has been positive on campaign stops so far.

When asked what he saw as eroding democracy in Canada, he pointed to “censorship” by the government, in universities and technology companies.

Baber was first elected as an Ontario MPP in 2018 as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, but was removed by Premier Doug Ford in January 2021 after speaking out against COVID-19 lockdowns. He described it as a “badge of honour” for standing up for his principles and said there is “collateral harm” of lockdowns.

“I am very heartened by the response my campaign has been getting throughout the country. Many Canadians appreciate that I had the courage to speak up against lockdowns, against [COVID-19 vaccine] passports and mandates when it wasn’t popular to do so.”

Developing Canada’s natural resources is one of Baber’s campaign promises, and he said he would unveil a plan to bolster the sector and increase production in the future. He said he also wants to encourage local refining and to build pipelines.

“I recognize, unlike many politicians in Ottawa, that there’s life west of Ontario and I think that the Prairies and Western Canada have not been integrated into the national conversation,” he said.

“I think it’s very important that we encourage industry, that we develop Canada’s natural resources — I think that they’re a blessing.”

He is also against universal basic income, which he said would dissuade people from working.

Baber said he is best suited to unite the Conservative Party of Canada by attracting voters who left the party and would stand by the belief the party is a “big blue tent.” He pledged to welcome social conservatives and allow members of Parliament to introduce legislation and vote according to their conscious if elected as leader of the party.

“I’m going to reach out to western Conservatives, much like western Canadians, who need to be welcomed into the national conversation and so we can create a vibrant, credible alternative to the Liberals and win the next election.”

The leadership race was called after Erin O’Toole lost a vote among Conservative MPs to remain the leader in early February.

Voting in the Conservative party leadership race is scheduled for Sept. 10. There are currently eight candidates, including Ontario MP Pierre Poilievre, former Quebec premier Jean Charest and mayor of Brampton, Ont., Patrick Brown.

» dmay@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @DrewMay_