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Candice Bergen Chosen As Interim Leader Of Conservatives

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The Conservative Party of Canada has a new interim leader.

Manitoba MP Candice Bergen takes over from Erin O’Toole, who was voted out in a ballot among party members yesterday.

Bergen has been an MP since 2008, and served as the Opposition House Leader for four years.

73 MPs voted against O’Toole as leader, while 45 were in favour of him staying in the role.

Bergen will stay on as the Conservatives face their third party leadership race since 2015.

In a goodbye video posted to Twitter, O’Toole said it has been an honour of a lifetime to lead the Conservatives over the past year.

The outgoing leader offered some parting thoughts after he officially submitted his regisnation.

“This country needs a Conservative party that is both an intellectual force and a governing force. Ideology without power is vanity. Seeking power without ideology is hubris,” said O’Toole.

He went on to say that the country is facing a “dire moment” of division, pointing to the ongoing protests in Ottawa.

“So my message to my party is the same I will give to the prime minister and members of Parliament on all sides of the House of Commons — audi alteram partem — hear the other side,” said O’Toole.

“Listen to all voices, not just the echoes from your own tribe. Realize that our country is divided and people are worried. Work together because how we as leaders act now will define the next generation.”

O’Toole plans to stay on as MP for his Ontario riding of Durham.

With files from Brad Perry.

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New South African Variant Very Concerning

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A new variant coming out of South Africa is concerning for health officials.

Doug Ford today spoke to Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health;

I was just briefed by Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, about the new variant that’s been found in several countries in Africa that early reports suggest could be vaccine resistant. I have contacted the federal government to express my extreme concern about the risks it poses and the need for immediate action today.

Ford wants the Prime Minister to act quickly and ban all flights from countries of concern.

Federal Conservative Leader, Erin O’Toole, is asking for the same measures to be taken;

With reports of the spread of a new COVID-19 variant, we have a small window of opportunity to act, and we must move now. Canada’s Conservatives are calling on Justin Trudeau to secure Canada’s borders, and immediately implement the following temporary measures:

  • Update the existing Government of Canada travel advisory for affected countries to South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini, and put in place a ban on non-essential travel to and from these countries of concern;
  • Mandatory screening at all international airports from affected countries, regardless of vaccination status; and,
  • Mandatory quarantining for travellers for those countries, regardless of vaccination status.

A statement from the Minister of Health and other government officials are making a statement today.

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Day 29 Of The Election Campaign

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The federal party leaders entered the final week of the election campaign on Sunday.

Conservative leader Erin O’Toole announced plans to support parents experiencing a miscarriage, stillbirth, or loss of a child.

O’Toole says his party would extend EI parental leave for at least eight weeks after a child’s death, and provide parents with three days of paid bereavement in the event of a miscarriage.

“Canada’s Conservatives will end the stigma and ensure parents have access to the financial support and time they need to mourn,” O’Toole said in a news release.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh repeated his commitment to close loopholes and crack down on big corporations avoiding their fair share of taxes.

The party pointed to figures from the Parliamentary Budget Office which shows Canada misses out on up to $25 billion a year in taxes.

Singh said he would invest in the Canada Revenue Agency to help with audits on large companies and the wealthy.

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau was in Quebec to highlight what his party would do for that province if re-elected.

Voters will head to the polls on Sept. 20.

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Climate change key takeaway from federal leaders’ debate

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The stakes were high as the five major party leaders fought to earn your vote.

Climate change, reconciliation, and Afghanistan were key themes during Thursday night’s leaders debate.

Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole slammed Justin Trudeau for calling an election as the deadline to withdraw troops loomed.

Meantime, Trudeau took a shot at the Conservatives over their position on climate change.

“You can’t have a strong economy unless you tackle climate change,” Trudeau said. “Mr. O’Toole can’t even convince his party that climate change is real because they voted against that.”

Trudeau was pointing to the Conservative party’s convention earlier this year when members voted down inserting wording in their policies that climate change is real.

Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole admitted his party came up short on its climate plan heading into the last election.

“We put our plan out in April because we had to restore some trust on this issue to make sure we can show Canadians we can get emissions down and get the economy working again,” said O’Toole. “That is key.”

Meantime, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says Indigenous people have been let down too often.

“How do you restore trust in a country as wealthy as ours that still does not provide clean drinking water to every single Indigenous nation?,” Singh asked. “It starts by actually walking the path of reconciliation. Not with empty words, but real action.”

Green Party Leader Annamie Paul says she wants Indigenous people to be able to make decisions for themselves.

Election Day is September 20.

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Federal Election Campaign: Day 23

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Workers were the main focus for Canada’s federal party leaders during their campaign stops on Labour Day.

Conservative leader Erin O’Toole pledged to double the Canada Workers Benefit to $2,800 for individuals and $5,000 for families.

It represents a $1 per hour raise for someone earning between $12,000 and $28,000 a year, according to the party.

The Conservatives also promised to double the disability supplement from $713 to $1,500.

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau said he would table legislation to ensure every business that requires proof of vaccination can do so without fear of a legal challenge.

During a campaign stop in Ontario, Trudeau also highlighted his election platform, such as extending the Canada Recovery Hiring Program through March and expanding the Canada Workers Benefit to support one million additional Canadians.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, also campaigning in Ontario, outlined his party’s plan to support workers, which includes $10 a day universal childcare, a $20 federal minimum wage, and 10 days of paid sick leave for workers in federally regulated workplaces.

Singh said his party would also fix the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit so more Canadians have access to paid leave when and how they need it.

Voters across the country will head to the polls on Sept. 20.

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O’Toole Touts Conservative Future For NWO

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The leader of the federal Conservatives says his party will secure the future for all of northern Ontario.

Erin O’Toole says his plan will create jobs in every sector across northwest communities, including forestry, mining, tourism and recreation.

Our plan will restore accountability and trust in government. We will address the mental health epidemic, we will ensure we are ready for the next health crisis, and we will get Canada’s fiscal house in order,” he says.

He made the comments on Twitter, supporting Kenora candidate and incumbent Eric Mellilo.

“I’ve worked closely with Eric in Ottawa. I know him to be a passionate advocate for northern Ontario,” O’Toole says. “He stands up for critical infrastructure projects, rural broadband, clean drinking water for First Nations and better economic opportunities for everyone, whether you live in Dryden or in the far reaches of the province.”

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Day 11 Of The Federal Election Campaign

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Canada’s three main party leaders made announcements in Ontario on Day 11 of the election campaign on Wednesday.

The NDP released a plan to lower cell phones and internet bills and save the average family $1,000.

Leader Jagmeet Singh committed to working with the CRTC to force telecom giants to reduce prices on plans and cap fees.

“Most Canadians are paying hundreds of dollars a month for barebone cellular and internet plans — often with terrible service. That’s wrong,” said Singh.

“The pandemic showed us just how important affordable access to these services are for Canadians when it comes to work, school or even connecting with loved ones.”

Conservative leader Erin O’Toole unveiled his party’s mental health action plan, which includes more mental health funding for provinces.

O’Toole committed to helping an additional million Canadians to receive mental health treatment every year and creating a national three-digit suicide prevention hotline.

The Tories are also promising a tax credit for employers who add mental health coverage to the employee benefit plans or boost their coverage.

“As a country, we need to recognize that mental health is health,” said O’Toole. “We have tremendous work to do to end the stigma and build more integrated mental health care systems across the country.”

The Liberals are promising to raise taxes on the country’s largest banks and insurance companies.

Leader Justin Trudeau said his party would raise the corporate income tax from 15 to 18 per cent on earnings over $1 billion.

If re-elected, Trudeau said the Liberals would also establish what he called the “Canada Recovery Dividend.”

“Big banks and insurance companies have been doing very well over these past many months,” he said. “Because you sacrificed, because you saved, big banks got a windfall.”

Voters will head to the polls on Sept. 20.

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Conservatives Promise ‘GST Holiday’ If Elected

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The Conservatives are promising a “month-long GST holiday” this December if elected next month.

Leader Erin O’Toole unveiled the details Tuesday during an announcement at a Toronto hotel.

“December is the time of year where Canadian families hope to have a bit more time to spend, a bit more time and money to buy presents for the family. It’s a time that’s going to be harder than ever for many families this year,” O’Toole said Tuesday.

O’Toole said all purchases made this December will be tax-free. The five per cent discount, he said, would be applied at the checkout when the purchase is made.

He said the GST holiday will put $1.5 billion back into the pockets of Canadians and help small retailers get back on their feet.

“You won’t have to fill out any lengthy forms or applications to get this tax break,” said O’Toole. “Your five per cent discount will show up at the till at your favourite retailer.”

The initiative is part of the Conservative Party’s “recovery plan” released on Monday, the first full day of the campaign.

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Conservatives Release Canada’s Recovery Plan

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Federal Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole has officially released the party’s plan to secure the future.

Officially called Canada’s Recovery Plan, O’Toole believes the Conservatives are prepared for the future more so than the other parties.

“This election is about who you think can get us out of the recession and rebuild the economy,” said O’Toole. “While the Liberals, NDP, Bloc, and Greens have no plan for Canada’s recovery after the pandemic, Canada’s Conservatives are relentlessly focused on creating jobs, increasing wages, and getting Canada’s economy back on track as quickly as possible.”

The plan cites five fields the Conservatives plan to secure:

  • Secure Jobs by recovering the one million jobs lost during the pandemic in one year.
  • Secure Accountability by enacting a new anti-corruption law to clean up the mess in Ottawa.
  • Secure Mental Health by delivering our Canada Mental Health Action Plan.
  • Secure the Country by building capacity here at home to handle any future pandemic or crisis.
  • Secure our Economy by balancing the budget over the next decade.

A highlight of the plan looks at assisting the sectors hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, including hospitality, tourism, and airlines.

The plan also goes into significant detail as to how the Conservatives would ensure a greener world for future generations through goals such as lowering industrial emissions, supporting more renewable natural gas, and getting more zero emission vehicles on the road. It stresses that the increase in forest fires and flooding in recent years are certainly a concern.

Along with this, Canada’s Recovery Plan tackles gang violence, human trafficking, domestic abuse, and much more.

To see the plan in its entirety, click here.

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Leaders Forge On With September Vote

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Let the campaign for your vote begin on September 20.

Newly installed Governor General Mary Simon granted Justin Trudeau’s request Sunday to dissolve Parliament and trigger the 44th federal election.

Opposition leaders are questioning the timing of an election with Canada in the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole launches his party’s election campaign, August 15, 2021. (CPAC)

“Mr. Trudeau is launching an election in the fourth wave of a pandemic, not securing the health and economic well-being of Canadians after he let in the Delta variant into this country,” remarked Conservative leader Erin O’Toole. “This is a time for us to work together for the well-being of all Canadians.”

O’Toole also unveiled some details on Canada’s Recovery Plan, which includes a promise to balance the budget by 2031.

“We will get the budget back to balance over the course of the next decade,” O’Toole pledged. “Because our first pillar of the plan is to get people back to work in all sectors of the economy and in all regions of Canada. We’re the only party that supports getting people back to work.”

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks to reporters in Montreal, August 15th, 2021. (CPAC)

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh stressed that the pandemic has been more difficult on some than others, adding, “We’ve been in the same storm for sure, but some people have ridden out this storm in luxury yachts while others have been in leaky lifeboats. Instead of calling an election, Justin Trudeau should be focused on these crises. On getting people the help they need and walking the path towards recovery instead of walking away from these commitments.”

Singh went onto say, “Justin Trudeau wants to grab power, wants a majority but why does he want it? It’s certainly not that he wants to help people, but that he wants to help people less, and you’ll ultimately pay the price.”

Green Party Leader Annamie Paul, who will also be campaigning for a seat in the House of Commons in the Toronto-Centre riding, had a message to those who might think things are back to post-pandemic normal.

Federal Green Party Leader Annamie Paul speaks to media in Toronto, August 15th, 2021. (CPAC)

“We are officially into the fourth wave of this pandemic,” Paul says. “And for anyone who wants to tell me or those behind me that we are out of it or that things are different, they are wrong.”

Paul added, “Having an election during forest fire evacuations, heat domes, fourth waves, losing the legacy of our troops in Afghanistan… well I guess that’s just the price that (the Liberals) feel we’re going to have to pay.

Election Day is Monday, September 20.

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