Bernier revives ‘freedom fest’ in byelection campaign

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This article was published 08/06/2023 (863 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Maxime Bernier is set to take his “freedom fest” into Winkler as he campaigns to become the local MP, but the mayor said he thinks the community has mostly moved on from pandemic-era divisions.

Bernier, leader of the populist People’s Party of Canada and a former federal Conservative minister who lost his Quebec seat in 2019, is running as his party’s candidate in the June 19 Portage—Lisgar federal byelection.

He plans to hold a rally under the banner of freedom in Winkler — a community that became a flashpoint over pandemic restrictions — on Saturday.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city was a battleground as many residents refused to follow restrictions in the name of personal freedom. It was rife with protests and conspiracy theories, including the use of animal medicine to fight the virus.

Bernier vehemently opposed COVID-19 health restrictions and vaccine mandates, and was arrested in southern Manitoba for violating provincial health orders in 2021. Bernier pleaded to two provincial offences and was fined in May.

Winkler Mayor Henry Siemens, who was elected last fall, said he campaigned on a message of bringing the community back together — something he thinks Winkler has largely done after the troublesome pandemic period.

“It’s time to move on, it’s time to come back together, it’s time to do what Winkler does, which is care deeply for each other, to support each other, and grow our community in a healthy way for everyone,” said Siemens of his message.

“I suspect we’re still in that place.”

Siemens said he thinks the rally won’t be a repeat of pandemic-era protests.

“In this instance, in any election cycle, a candidate will use what they feel will get interest to their cause, bring people to their tent,” Siemens said.

“I’m glad this cycle will be done June 19. Both (PPC and Tory) candidates are presenting their vision. They both hope one will resonate with the electorate, and they will have their seat.”

For his part, Bernier said the PPC has a lot of supporters in Winkler, who asked the party to hold the rally.

“It’s a family event, but also a political one,” Bernier said Thursday.

“All across the riding, people understand that I was the only who did everything to ensure that our rights would be respected (during) COVID-19… we need to fight for freedom, and right now, we need to fight for values.”

The riding opened up after longtime Tory MP Candice Bergen resigned in February.

Tory Leader Pierre Poilievre held a meet-and-greet in the southern Manitoba city about an hour-and-a-half from Winnipeg on June 2 to buoy support for Tory candidate Branden Leslie.

The byelection is a two-horse race between the Tories and the PPC.

erik.pindera@winnipegfreepress.com