MacKay promises unity

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This article was published 02/03/2020 (2190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Peter MacKay says the Conservatives will unify the country if given the chance.

The presumed frontrunner to become the next Conservative Party of Canada leader — and leader of the official Opposition — MacKay held a rally in Winnipeg Monday night.

“We founded this country, our first prime minister ran a rivet of steel from Atlantic Canada all the way to the left coast. We unified this country,” he told the crowd of about 200.

“We’ve done it before, and we will do it again. And by the way, we need to keep that railroad running.”

Recently, MacKay deleted a tweet praising counter-protesters who had dismantled a blockade on a CN rail line in Edmonton after facing criticism that he was promoting people taking the law into their own hands. He later published a longer message explaining his reasoning.

MacKay cited rule of law to applause, referencing rail blockades across the country in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs who oppose a B.C. pipeline.

“When we can’t move goods across this country, critical items such as medicine, fuel and food, we are failing as a nation,” he said.

“We are stumbling in the eyes of the world, when we can’t have the rule of law prevail over everyone, because there’s one law for one Canada, for one people, wherever you live, whatever you do.”

Unification was the theme of the evening, and campaign organizer and former Winnipeg MP, Shelly Glover, was no different, stressing that she believed MacKay would unify the Conservatives.

“Peter MacKay is the person I think will unite this party first and foremost,” she said.

“We’ve seen some issues around the unity of the party after the last leadership — it’s time to unite again. Peter MacKay’s the guy.”

Glover said while she typically did not openly campaign for the candidate she would be voting for, she made an exception for MacKay, citing their history of working together.

“I was very close to Peter MacKay when I was a member of Parliament,” she said, “In fact, Peter MacKay helped recruit me to run.”

McKay is running along with seven others to succeed Andrew Scheer as Tory leader.

He is the only verified candidate so far — meaning he’s the only candidate to put down the full $200,000 non-refundable entry fees and collect the 3,000 signatures needed to run. The results of the race will be announced June 27.

While MacKay has yet to outline many specific policies, he promised to force a motion of no confidence should he be elected in a fundraising email sent out Sunday.

On his official website, MacKay promises to hold an election in October 2020. Fellow candidates Erin O’Toole and Marilyn Gladu have also promised early elections.

Among those in attendance at the rally Monday was Aaron Marshall Clarke, 41.

Clarke called himself a “career Conservative” and said he decided to come after finding the event on social media.

“To be honest with you, I didn’t start voting till I was 35, I could never find a fit, I can honestly say that, proudly say that,” he said.

“And when I did, I’d seen growth within the party.”

When asked what drew him to MacKay, Clarke said MacKay had much to offer, adding “it’s not about finding fault, it’s about finding commonalities.”

“He’s acceptant of other cultures coming to Canada, but within means, his track record as minister of defence, he’s a strong speaker.”

Clarke summed up his support by saying he believed MacKay was the best choice available to Conservatives today.

“I feel he’s a perfect fit — well, nothing’s perfect — but he’s definitely the most qualified and most go-to fit for this.”

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: malakabas_