Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Anti-lockdown MPP to run for Tory leadership

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Mar, 2022 11:20 AM
  • Anti-lockdown MPP to run for Tory leadership

OTTAWA - An independent Ontario legislator, who rose to prominence for speaking out against COVID-19 lockdowns, says he will run for Conservative leadership.

Roman Baber will launch his campaign Wednesday evening, and says he considers himself to be the underdog in the party's contest, competing against well-known federal Conservatives like Pierre Poilievre and Leslyn Lewis.

Former Quebec premier Jean Charest is also planning to enter the race Thursday.

Baber sits as an Independent MPP for the Toronto riding of York Centre after Ontario Premier Doug Ford booted him from his Progressive Conservative government in January 2021 over publicly calling for an end to the lockdown that was in place at the time to stem the spread of COVID-19.

He was also barred from running for the party in Ontario's election in June.

Both Poilievre and Lewis have been opposing vaccination mandates and health restrictions that shutter businesses and force residents to stay inside, but Baber says what sets him apart is the fact he did so first.

"I don't believe there's anyone in the race who was willing to speak out against lockdowns or vaccine passports until recently," he told The Canadian Press.

"I did not hesitate to speak out against lockdowns and mandates and passports when it was politically incorrect and when it was challenging politically to do so."

Baber says he supports "voluntary vaccination" and is fully immunized, but has not received his third booster dose.

Mandatory vaccination policies were a source of tension between former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole and some members of his caucus, as well as party supporters.

O'Toole tried to strike a balance between promoting vaccination against COVID-19, while also saying he respects people's ability to control their own health choices.

That position exposed him to criticism from fellow Conservatives who wanted him to more forcefully defend the rights of people to remain unvaccinated while others, including the federal Liberals, slammed him for not being able to say if all 118 of his MPs were double-dosed.

Baber says he believes lockdowns will be remembered as a failure of public policy and sees the pandemic response as tied to "cancel culture and political correctness."

As an immigrant born in the former Soviet Union who moved to Canada at 15, he says he wants to stand up to cancel culture and "restore Canada's democracy," which in his view "has been somewhat eroded, with censorship, with mandates, with invocation of the Emergencies Act."

In terms of mounting a campaign, Baber expressed confidence in being able to pay the $300,000 required by the party to enter the race and was finalizing a campaign team.

When it comes to growing the party, which it must do in areas such as the Greater Toronto Area if it hopes to form government, Baber says as an urban representative he feels Conservatives should talk more about transit, housing and health care.

And as for what kind of conservative he considers himself to be, Baber says he's a "democratic conservative."

"I believe that we must commit to respect basic democracy and to the difference of opinion within our own Conservative party — and I speak from experience."

MORE National ARTICLES

47 Canadians charged in global investigation

47 Canadians charged in global investigation
The Mounties said 186 charges have been laid in Canada so far during the investigation, dubbed Operation H. Arrests have been made in eight provinces over the past two years, they said, adding the investigation is still underway.

47 Canadians charged in global investigation

Judge dismisses bid to halt federal emergency measures, calling issue moot

Judge dismisses bid to halt federal emergency measures, calling issue moot
The group and Nagle, who took part in the anti-government protests, asked the Federal Court for an injunction last month to stay Liberal use of the emergencies law and associated measures while their full case plays out.

Judge dismisses bid to halt federal emergency measures, calling issue moot

Half of South Asian women plan to quit job: study

Half of South Asian women plan to quit job: study
More than half of the 700 South Asian women respondents to a survey by CulturaliQ and the Pink Attitude Evolution say they are planning to leave their jobs for other opportunities.

Half of South Asian women plan to quit job: study

WestJet Group to buy Sunwing Airlines amid turbulent global travel market

WestJet Group to buy Sunwing Airlines  amid turbulent global travel market
Under the agreement, a new tour operating business unit will be created under the WestJet Group, to include both Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations Inc. and will be led by Sunwing CEO Stephen Hunter.

WestJet Group to buy Sunwing Airlines amid turbulent global travel market

Vancouver home sales up 50% from start of year

Vancouver home sales up 50% from start of year
The B.C. board says Metro Vancouver home sales totalled 3,424 last month, down 8.1 per cent from 3,727 in February 2021 and up 49.8 per cent from 2,285 in January 2022. 

Vancouver home sales up 50% from start of year

The mayor of Penticton accused in lawsuit of threatening to kill siblings

The mayor of Penticton accused in lawsuit of threatening to kill siblings
A notice of application filed last week on behalf of his brother, Nicholas Vassilakakis, includes a transcript of a voice mail the mayor allegedly left their sister making the threat.

The mayor of Penticton accused in lawsuit of threatening to kill siblings