Leadership rivals shouldn’t be calling each other ‘not Conservative,’ says Bergen

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OTTAWA — Conservative interim chief Candice Bergen says management contenders ought to keep away from calling these they disagree with on coverage “not Conservative.”

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Bergen, who was first elected in 2008 and has led the celebration since early February, says Conservatives shouldn’t play “identification politics” by pitting one group in opposition to one other — as an example, social conservatives versus Pink Tories.

“Once you wedge, divide and polarize, individuals are pulled down, they’re not lifted up. In order a celebration, we shouldn’t be doing the identical factor we’re criticizing the Liberals for doing,” she stated in an interview Thursday with The Canadian Press.

The Manitoba MP and former deputy chief took over the celebration’s prime job after a majority of MPs voted to oust Erin O’Toole following weeks of anger and pressure that constructed behind closed doorways.

The Conservative celebration is ready to select its new everlasting chief Sept. 10.

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At the very least eight candidates have entered the race, together with former Quebec premier Jean Charest, Brampton, Ont., Mayor Patrick Brown and Ottawa-area MP Pierre Poilievre.

Two extra have launched campaign-style web sites, however haven’t formally introduced a bid, together with former Conservative deputy chief Leona Alleslev, who in 2018 crossed the ground from the Liberals and was defeated in final 12 months’s common election.

Poilievre’s marketing campaign has dismissed Charest as being a Liberal for having led the federalist Quebec Liberal celebration after his time as chief of the previous Progressive Conservative celebration in Ottawa.

Bergen says she believes management candidates should account for his or her previous actions and actually inform members the place they imagine the celebration must go sooner or later.

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“That’s all truthful sport,” she stated. “I’d very a lot encourage the management candidates and the individuals with them to problem one another on these issues.”

However she stated that needn’t contain questioning whether or not they’re actually Conservatives.

“I believe that we shouldn’t be calling individuals not Conservative, if they’ve coverage that may be totally different than my specific one or another person’s specific one.”

As interim chief, she steers the celebration by means of its third management race within the final six years and a prolonged spell because the Official Opposition to the Liberal authorities.

She additionally took over as protesters with giant vans blockaded downtown Ottawa, blaring their horns incessantly, demanding that COVID-19 well being measures finish and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau be faraway from workplace.

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Many Conservative MPs greeted the protesters upon arrival in Ottawa and cheered them on, whereas police and municipal leaders got here to see the demonstration as an occupation.

Bergen was amongst those that lent the convoy her assist. On the time, she defended doing so by saying she felt it necessary to hearken to protesters, regardless of disagreeing with their techniques.

On Thursday, she stated each motion carries penalties.

“Do I make selections based mostly on what the media tells me? Is (that) going to get me probably the most factors publicly? Or what the polls are saying? No.”

“I don’t do it so the polls present reputation or not, I do one thing as a result of I believe it’s the precise factor to do.”

The Conservatives Thursday continued urgent the Liberal authorities within the Home of Commons to elevate all remaining federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates, which apply to home air travellers and public servants.

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Since taking on from O’Toole, Bergen has relocated from the lodge she stated she had been staying at in Ottawa into Stornoway, the taxpayer-funded residence saved for the chief of the Official Opposition. She is there together with her husband.

The timing additionally labored out, as unfold of COVID-19 in Canada has change into extra manageable than it has been in months, which Bergen says has allowed extra of their caucus to journey to Ottawa and meet face-to-face.

“That simply clearly helps in relation to working by means of points and collaboration.”

Bergen additionally says her relationship with O’Toole stays good.

“Issues occur in a short time, not one thing that I had deliberate or anticipated. However I believe we each acknowledge that our purpose is our celebration, our nation, our motion, and that guides our relationship and the best way that we work together with one another.”