Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
National

Charest says Tories must pick 'adult in the room'

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Mar, 2022 10:25 AM
  • Charest says Tories must pick 'adult in the room'

OTTAWA - Jean Charest says when it comes to lifting federal COVID-19 mandates, leaders should listen to health experts and not replace that advice with their own judgment.

Federal Conservatives and their supporters have long been calling for the removal of vaccine mandates for domestic air travellers, public servants and those working in federally regulated industries.

Tory MPs say rapid testing should be allowed for those who choose to be unvaccinated. They have dismissed the mandates, announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before last summer's federal election, as driving division in the country and threatening people's livelihoods.

Recently, Conservatives have pointed to provinces' choices to drop their vaccine passport rules along with remaining health restrictions, following the Omicron-driven wave of the pandemic when infections soared.

Charest, however, said decisions about the federal mandates that remain in place should be made according to the advice of health professionals.

"That's why they're there," the Conservative leadership candidate said in a wide-ranging interview on Thursday.

"We shouldn't try to substitute our judgment to it. There is always an element of political judgment."

He said he believes Canadians are lacking guidance on what to expect in the months ahead and they deserve to know more so they can plan their lives.

Unlike Charest, most other Conservative leadership contenders stand definitively against COVID-19 mandates and are campaigning on that position.

One in particular is Pierre Poilievre, the first entrant into the race. The Ottawa-area MP positioned himself as the candidate promising to restore freedoms to Canadians.

He also embraced a convoy of protesters who rolled into Ottawa in late January demanding an end to vaccine mandates and refused to leave for three weeks, prompting local leaders, police and Trudeau to call the situation a crisis.

Charest said the anger and fatigue people feel about the pandemic is legitimate and those at the convoy deserved to be heard. But a party leader, he said, must draw a hard line between doing what is popular and upholding the rule of law.

"This is about choosing an adult in the room to be leading the party, uniting the party," he said.

"You can't say to people, for example, Indigenous groups, if there's a protest once that that's illegal, and then say that there's another protest and that's OK."

Without naming names, Charest not-so-subtly referred to Poilievre, who called for an end to rail blockades staged by protesters in 2020 over the construction of a pipeline on a First Nation's territory in British Columbia.

For his part, Poilievre has dismissed Charest as a "Liberal." He's circulated images of Charest next to Trudeau, criticized him for his work with Huawei and labelled him as a supporter of the federal carbon price, which is loathed by many party members.

Charest on Thursday called these attacks a "Trump-style of politics."

In response, Poilievre said Charest was trying to distract from his own record while he was focused on making "Canada the world's freest country."

Those watching Charest's campaign may wonder what shape his environmental plan might take, given that he introduced a cap-and-trade system in Quebec during his time as premier.

Charest said he supports carbon pricing, but wouldn't say whether any plan from him would include one for consumer goods like fuel.

"Carbon pricing cannot be a penalty for those who live in rural areas. It cannot discriminate against them," he said.

"The price on carbon needs to be something that is simple and flexible, but not punitive. And the design of it is the key."

While he rejects Poilievre's tone in the race, Charest was more complimentary toward fellow candidate and Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, who entered politics as a young Tory and supported Charest when he led the federal Progressive Conservatives.

"I have a good relationship with Patrick," he said.

"We've stayed in touch over the years, and so I have a lot of respect for Patrick. And I think him being in this race is a good thing."

Conservatives will pick their new leader Sept. 10.

MORE National ARTICLES

Documents: PM warned about 'build back better'

Documents: PM warned about 'build back better'
The idea of strengthening economic shortfalls unearthed by the pandemic has become a rallying cry for Canada and many of its allies, such as the United States.

Documents: PM warned about 'build back better'

Canada to match Red Cross donations for Ukraine

Canada to match Red Cross donations for Ukraine
The campaign, which is to begin today and run until March 18, will see the government match donations by Canadians dollar for dollar to a maximum of $10 million, says a senior government official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss matters not yet public.    

Canada to match Red Cross donations for Ukraine

Canada's pandemic future still uncertain, Tam says

Canada's pandemic future still uncertain, Tam says
Dr. Theresa Tam says she hopes Canada is past the pandemic crisis and is now in a transition phase, headed toward recovery. She says Canada must still be ready to bring some public health measures back if cases begin to shoot up again.

Canada's pandemic future still uncertain, Tam says

B.C. premier to make swearing-in announcement

B.C. premier to make swearing-in announcement
A statement from the premier's office provides few details about the nature of the announcement other than to confirm Horgan will be available to answer questions after the swearing-in.

B.C. premier to make swearing-in announcement

Suspect enters fast food restaurant in Surrey and takes off with cash register

Suspect enters fast food restaurant in Surrey and takes off with cash register
Staff from the restaurant immediately called 911, as they observed the suspect depart and noted his direction of travel. The suspect allegedly stopped and threatened the staff members with a weapon.

Suspect enters fast food restaurant in Surrey and takes off with cash register

Coquitlam stabbing victim identified

Coquitlam stabbing victim identified
To further the investigation, the victim has been identified as 66-year-old Terry Miller of Coquitlam. There was a second victim, also stabbed, but is recovering. 

Coquitlam stabbing victim identified