Close X
Sunday, November 24, 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

Trudeau heads to Europe to meet allies amid fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Trudeau heads to Europe to meet allies amid fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Trudeau will spend next week in meetings in London, Berlin, Riga, Latvia and Warsaw, Poland, saying he is joining partners to stand against Moscow’s aggression.

Trudeau heads to Europe to meet allies amid fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Charges laid against 26 year old for Surrey shooting

Charges laid against 26 year old for Surrey shooting
Surrey RCMP Serious Crime Unit took conduct of the investigation and identified a possible suspect early on. In March 2020, a search warrant was executed on the suspect’s residence. The suspect was arrested and later released while the investigation continued.

Charges laid against 26 year old for Surrey shooting

Allen Schoenborn man who killed his 3 children, granted unescorted leave

Allen Schoenborn man who killed his 3 children, granted unescorted leave
The lawyer for Allen Schoenborn has told the B-C review board during an annual hearing that his client has been on a "generally positive trajectory" since being granted day leave.

Allen Schoenborn man who killed his 3 children, granted unescorted leave

Crown has failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt at the trial of former clerk

Crown has failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt at the trial of former clerk
Lawyer Gavin Cameron continued his closing arguments for a second day in B-C Supreme Court. James was charged with fraud and breach of trust based on allegations of misspending.    

Crown has failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt at the trial of former clerk

Premier Horgan not concerned that BC will face major costs with Canada's sanctions against Russia

Premier Horgan not concerned that BC will face major costs with Canada's sanctions against Russia
Horgan says he supports the federal government's decision to impose a 35 per cent tariff on Russian and Belarus exports to Canada. The move has potential economic consequences for B-C sectors that rely on Russian products, including major construction projects that use Russian steel.

Premier Horgan not concerned that BC will face major costs with Canada's sanctions against Russia

391 COVID19 cases for Thursday

391 COVID19 cases for Thursday
There are 511 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 79 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, 13 new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,896.

391 COVID19 cases for Thursday