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The Alberta COVID Crisis Dominates Election Discussion

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In Saint John, New Brunswick, Conservative leader Erin O’Toole faced questions about the COVID-19 situation in Alberta as that province declares another public health emergency.

He has previously praised Premier Jason Kenney for his province’s handling of the pandemic.

But O’Toole avoided saying if he still feels the same.

“As prime minister, I will work with all premiers regardless of stripe to fight against the pandemic.
A pandemic that we need to fight and Mr. Trudeau didn’t fight. He called an election. A $600-million dollar election,” O’Toole said.

In Oshawa, Ontario, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said the Liberal leader doesn’t think helping Alberta is his job.

“I think it is the job of a Prime Minister in a pandemic in a crisis to step up and help in any way I can,” Singh said.

Singh placed the blame on Alberta Premier Jason Kenney calling his leadership “horrible”.

In Montreal, Quebec, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau contradicted Singh saying he’s offered Alberta whatever they need and he noted ventilators are being sent to the province.

“Half measures measures won’t do to fight this pandemic, to keep people safe, to prevent future lockdowns, to further slow the growth of our economy,” Trudeau said.

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Five Party Leaders Debate In English Tonight

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Canada’s five party leaders will debate affordability, reconciliation, climate, leadership and accountability during the English language television debate on Thursday night.

University of New Brunswick political science professor J.P. Lewis said seeing political violence in the United States, it’s not surprising to see it creep into the Canadian political landscape.

With violence impacting campaign stops by the Liberal party recently, Lewis said there is nothing new in seeing anger for the incumbent government.

“What changes the dynamics of this sort of thing is obviously social media in terms of individuals’ ability to share messages and organize with like-minded individuals,” Lewis said.

A lot may be riding on the debate for some party leaders.

Lewis said for many Canadians the debate will be an introduction to Conservative leader Erin O’Toole even though he’s been an MP since 2012 and served as a cabinet minister under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

“If you are not following things daily, this may be a new politician to you. Because the Tories have been up in the polls for a couple of weeks now, I’d say the spotlight may be on him and we’ll see how the other leaders react,” Lewis said.

Lewis thinks this will be a very close election.

Joining O’Toole will be Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, The Green party’s Annamie Paul, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet.

The two-hour debate begins at 8 p.m. Central.

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New Liberal Leader Visiting Thunder Bay

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The newly elected leader of the Ontario Liberal party is wasting no time visiting northwestern Ontario.

Steven Del Duca is scheduled to stop in Thunder Bay today. (Wednesday)

Del Duca has said if he was elected leader he who would work on four laning the entire Trans-Canada Highway.

He also promised in his northern platform to ensure all residents have access to a nurse practitioner or doctor within 48 hours.

Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle says he’s pleased with the outcome of the weekend leadership vote, noting he threw his support behind the former Ontario Transporation Minister.

Gravelle says he worked with Del Duca for a number of years on several files, stressing he’s a true advocate for northern Ontario.