Maxime Bernier says PPC would cut foreign aid to shrink government spending

Maxime Bernier and the People’s Party of Canada have officially kicked off their campaign from Saint-Georges, Quebec, with a strong focus on cutting government spending and putting a halt to immigration. Bernier emphasized the importance of preserving Canadian culture, standard of living, and economy by stopping immigration.

The former Conservative MP for Beauce is positioning his party as the “real conservatives” in this election, particularly highlighting their opposition to COVID-19 lockdowns. After a dramatic exit from the Conservative Party of Canada in 2018, Bernier founded the People’s Party of Canada, criticizing his former party as being morally corrupt and beyond reform.

During the campaign launch, Bernier outlined the four pillars of the PPC platform, including pausing immigration, ending what he referred to as “woke” policies, cutting spending to boost the economy, and implementing national security measures. He also pledged to withdraw Canada from various United Nations commitments and reduce foreign aid to focus on domestic priorities.

In his speech, Bernier took aim at Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre for their positions on carbon pricing and carbon capture and storage, which he deemed inefficient and costly. He also proposed cutting federal funding for CBC/Radio-Canada as part of his plan to reduce government spending.

One of the key points of Bernier’s platform is the abolishment of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which he believes are not in line with Western civilization values. He criticized the promotion of “woke-ism” and vowed to ensure that Canadian citizenship remains a privilege. Despite facing criticism for controversial statements in the past, Bernier reiterated his commitment to promoting unity, equal rights, and meritocracy.

While Bernier has been accused of attracting far-right individuals and conspiracy theorists, the PPC has denied welcoming individuals with extreme views into the party. In the 2021 federal election, the party received five percent of the national vote.

Overall, Maxime Bernier and the People’s Party of Canada are advocating for a bold and controversial platform that challenges traditional political norms in Canada. Their commitment to fiscal conservatism, immigration reform, and cultural preservation sets them apart in a crowded political landscape.