(Calgary) Former Quebec Premier Jean Charest promised Conservative Party of Canada activists on Thursday evening to “deliver a government” to them if they choose him as leader of their party.
Posted yesterday at 11:54 p.m.
Such an affirmation, “no other candidate in the race” can make it, he launched, at the same time shooting an arrow at the one who is considered to be the leader, MP Pierre Poilievre from the Ottawa region.
The event, which took place in a Calgary beer hall where about a hundred activists had gathered, allowed Mr. Charest to present himself as the candidate capable of “uniting the party and uniting the country”.
In a 20-minute speech entirely in English, during which he never looked at his notes, he explained that Alberta should be “at the table” of government, setting policy, rather than in opposition, to “live with”.
Mr. Charest has long tried to get rid of the image of the Prime Minister, who has not sufficiently defended the oil industry and who does not understand the energy issues in Western Canada, he who, when he was Prime Minister du Québec, had notably launched a GHG emission cap and trade program.
He said he was not against pipelines, on the contrary.
Do you know who built the last pipeline in Quebec? This is my government!
John Charest
The politician, who is returning to federal politics after more than 20 years, pleaded to know “how a government works”, which makes it possible to “achieve great things”, such as building “pipelines”, he said. said in an enumeration where he was warmly applauded.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a “sudden” game-changer, highlighting the importance of security of energy supply, he argued.
“Russia is being financed by Europe, which is buying its oil and gas from it to pay for a war against Ukraine,” Mr. Charest said. And where is Canada in all of this? Where is the country in the world that can supply them with oil and gas? »
Long course
Jean Charest, now 63, entered the House of Commons in 1984 after being elected under the banner of the Progressive Conservative government of Brian Mulroney. He had become a minister even before reaching the age of 30.
The Sherbrooke-born politician led the Conservatives for several years, until 1998, when he left federal politics to lead the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) on the provincial scene.
Jean Charest was Premier of Quebec from 2003 to 2012, before being defeated following major student protests.
Since Mr. Charest’s name has been circulating behind the scenes, Mr. Poilievre has quickly portrayed his future opponent as favorable to policies like federal carbon pricing, which many in the party oppose.
Jean Charest must go to Vancouver on Friday before returning to Quebec to plan the rest of his tour.
The Conservatives hold 30 of the 34 seats in Alberta, considered the party’s core along with neighboring Saskatchewan, where the Conservatives hold all the seats.
Other declared candidates for the Conservative Party leadership race include Ontario MLA Leslyn Lewis and Independent MLA Roman Baber.
Leadership hopefuls to succeed Erin O’Toole have until April 19 to apply.