From National Unity to Freedom: Tory Leadership Candidates Share Visions During First Debate

Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre (R) walks past Jean Charest as he takes his place onstage during a debate at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference, in Ottawa on May 5, 2022. Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press

Restoring democracy, national unity, freedom, respect—those were some of the main themes brought forward by the Conservative Party leadership contenders during the first debate of the race on May 5 in Ottawa.

Six candidates have been approved to run by the party, and all but Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown participated in the unofficial debate organized by the Canada Strong & Free networking conference.

Roman Baber

Independent Ontario MPP Roman Baber, who was booted out of the Ontario Progressive Conservative caucus for standing up against pandemic lockdowns, was born in the Soviet Union and linked his personal experience with that system to his appreciation of Canadian democracy.

“I know what democracy is all about and I know how precious our democracy is, and the fact that the conservative movement failed to stand up for democracy is something that is going to remain with us for a generation,” he said in reference to Conservative parties in Canada using lockdowns or not pushing back against them.

Baber, who described himself as not a “typical politician” due to speaking his mind, said democracy is being eroded and he’s committed to restoring it.

On assessing why the party didn’t win during the last election, he said Canadians didn’t know where it stood.

“We should not be running to the right during leadership and running to the left during the general [election]. We should not be afraid of the media or the left-wing Twitter mob,” he said.

Leslyn Lewis

MP Leslyn Lewis, who finished third behind Erin O’Toole and Peter MacKay in the last leadership contest, will be the only social conservative on the ballot. She said a “return to our conservative principles” is the way to stop losing in general elections.

“Families are the cornerstone of our society, and parents should have a right to raise their children in accordance with their values,” she said, adding she would introduce a parental rights bill to “stop government encroachment on parental rights.”

Lewis also made a pitch for national unity, saying it’s at an “all-time low,” and spoke against cancel culture and “wokism,” which are tearing apart the “fabric of our nation.”

“I am running to be a bridge-builder, to unite the party, and to unite this country.”

Lewis also raised the issue of protecting sovereignty in the face of the influence of international organizations like the World Health Organization and the World Economic Forum.

Scott Aitchison

MP Scott Aitchison framed much of his remarks around the concept of “respect,” mentioning the word multiple times.

“What we cannot do as a party is continue with the divisive polarizing rhetoric that Justin Trudeau has been using for seven years. It’s disgusting. It’s ripping our country apart. It’s why I’m running because we need to show some respect to each other,” he said in relation to mandatory vaccination being used as a wedge issue.

Aitchison said his leadership style to unite the party would be based on a respect for all views and all people within the party.

“There’s lots of different perspectives. And we have to work together as a team. And until we can work together as a team, Canadians are not going to trust us. We have to work together.”

As for taking on the Trudeau government, Aitchison mentioned as an example Conservative MP and transport critic Melissa Lantsman, who pressures the government on the issue of vaccine mandates for travel.

“She does it with respect, she’s effective, and she eviscerates the Liberals every day,” he said.

Jean Charest

Former Quebec Premier Jean Charest focused on national unity during his opening remarks, backed by a long career as a defender of federalism.

“If I’m in this race, you'll know that if there’s a common theme throughout my whole life, it has been the idea of Canada, and I have fought at every moment to preserve the unity of this country, whether it’s the referendum in Quebec, or when I was premier of Quebec,” Charest said.

“I look at the country today and I see a country that’s way below its potential and badly divided. Whether it’s separatism in Quebec or Western alienation, we cannot take our country for granted and the answer is the Conservative Party of Canada.”

Charest’s first official campaign stop was in Calgary, and this was calculated, he said.

“On the very first day that I announced that I was running, I went to Calgary, and it was a gesture and a message that I want to be a prime minister for all of Canada, including Alberta, that I support Albertans, that we know that they feel left out, and they feel they’re not acknowledged, and they’re not recognized for their extraordinary contribution to the country.”

Pierre Poilievre

Since the day he declared he was running for prime minister on Feb. 5, three days after former leader Erin O’Toole was ousted and way ahead of other contenders, MP Pierre Poilievre has been campaigning around the country to full capacity crowds.

Poilievre’s main theme revolves around the idea of freedom and giving Canadians more control over their lives.

“Canadians believe they’ve lost control of their lives, big bossy government has taken their money and told them what to do, leaving the country desperate and divided,” he said in his opening remarks.

“I’m running for prime minister to give you back control of your life by making Canada the freest nation on Earth.”

Noting that the Conservative Party is locked out of many major cities, Poilievre said having won an Ottawa riding seven times in a row is an asset, and he attributes it to being able to bypass the “liberal media” to get his message out by using social media.

The candidates will face off again in a few days, this time for official debates. The first one will take place in Edmonton on May 11 and the second in Laval on May 25.

Candidates have until early June to sign up new members. The vote will take place late in the summer and the results will be announced on Sept. 10.