Bernier heads up Steinbach rally

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This article was published 10/09/2021 (1410 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

People’s Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier kept a rapt audience applauding, took questions from the crowd and took time to pose for photos with fans as part of a Freedom Rally in Steinbach.

Close to 300 people attended the Labour Day rally to hear the party leader speak.

In what was his first rally of the day, that would include a 1,000 plus crowd near Winkler and an additional rally in Winnipeg, Bernier reiterated the PPC platform to the appreciate audience.

In fact, the only sign of dissent came as a pair of eggs, thrown from the periphery of the crowd when Bernier began to speak. The thrower fled the scene immediately after. The attempted assault didn’t attract much attention as the shots were so wide Bernier and most of the crowd seemed unaware it had even happened.

Bernier got big applause as he condemned “lefties” and “woke” people, criticizing gender issues and political correctness.

He told followers they can safely vote PPC without fearing they’ll split the conservative vote.

“Do you really believe that here in Manitoba you’ll be able to elect a Liberal or an NDP?” he asked.

After posing with dozens of attendees for photos, Bernier told The Carillon outdoor rallies like the one in Steinbach are a necessary tool.

“It’s important because we don’t have the same coverage from the national mainstream media, so I need to drive all across the country,” he said.

Bernier said they’re seeing a momentum swing as supporters share with their friends and neighbours in the grassroots campaign.

Bernier admitted this election has become about a single issue, describing it as a referendum on the COVID-19 passport.

“People are fed up with that,” he said. “The science is on our side. Everyone can spread the virus.”

Bernier took it as step further, saying the passport promotes segregation, comparing it to the civil rights movement in the U.S. in the 1960s.

“I won’t be able to take a flight after the election, that’s discrimination,” he said. “Discrimination based on race, or discrimination based on vaccine status, it is discrimination.”

Bernier said his party has a goal of uniting Canadians. “The PPC party is the only party that will unite everybody and not divide everybody like Trudeau and O’Toole and the other leaders are doing.”

The last time Bernier was in Manitoba he was arrested near St Pierre for failing to observe public health orders. He said those orders were “unconstitutional, illegal, immoral” and an act of “political repression”.

Bernier referred to two court dates that were scheduled for July 26 and Aug. 24, both of which were delayed, claiming that’s a sign of his impending victory.

“They are postponing that all the time because they know that I will win,” he said.

Provencher PPC candidate Noel Gautron was in attendance but did not speak at the rally.

Bernier was introduced by Kenora PPC candidate Craig Martin.