Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

'Mad Max' Bernier Says Tory Leadership Ad Is Effective Despite Mockery From Foes

The Canadian Press, 05 Oct, 2016 12:35 PM
    OTTAWA — Maxime (Mad Max) Bernier says he doesn't care if his rivals for the Conservative leadership rival make fun of his latest attempt at raising his profile.
     
    The Conservative MP from Quebec posted a photo on his Instagram page on Tuesday of his face on the body of Mel Gibson's character in the dystopian, 1979 action flick, "Mad Max."
     
    Bernier, whose free-market policy positions have put him to the right of most of the other candidates, wrote in the caption "some people like to call me Mad Max like in the movie."
     
    "They may believe it's an insult," he continued, using exclamation points liberally, "but let me tell you something: It's true. I am mad! I'm mad about government waste! I’m mad about government borrowing money on the backs of future generations, to benefit big corporations!"
     
    Nick Kouvalis, one of the architects of ex-Toronto mayor Rob Ford's election victory and a current strategist for one of Bernier's opponents, MP Kellie Leitch, mocked him on Twitter.
     
    "He's mad," Kouvalis tweeted, "Very mad. Intensely mad. Hot like the sun mad. Let's all get mad together. Maple syrup cartels have put us over the edge."
     
    That comment referred to Bernier's position that Quebec's maple syrup production should no longer be controlled by a provincial association and should be opened up to the free market.
     
    Bernier has also called for the end of Canada's supply management system for dairy, eggs and poultry, the privatization of Canada Post and for the phasing-out of the CRTC as the country's telecom regulator.
     
    His attempt at photo editing isn't the first time he has used a gag to get voters' attention.
     
    In his last election campaign, Bernier created a musical jingle that was also ridiculed.
     
    The Tory leadership candidate told reporters Tuesday he was "absolutely not" put off by such criticism.
     
    "When I broadcast my jingle during the last election campaign, everyone laughed," he said.
     
    "Today, if people laugh (at the photo) even better, but the message is getting through. And what's important is that when people talk about it, they ask why he's so angry, and so the message I want to send is getting out."
     
    The candidates vying to replace Stephen Harper meet for the first time for a debate on Nov. 9 in Saskatoon. There are five debates in total.
     
    So far the candidates aside from Leitch and Bernier are Tony Clement, Michael Chong, Deepak Obhrai and Andrew Scheer.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Saanich, B.C. Mom Pleads For Help In Return Of Daughter Allegedly Abducted From B.C.

    Saanich, B.C. Mom Pleads For Help In Return Of Daughter Allegedly Abducted From B.C.
      Tasha Brown says her only wish for her daughter Kaydance is that the little girl would be brought back to Canada.

    Saanich, B.C. Mom Pleads For Help In Return Of Daughter Allegedly Abducted From B.C.

    Drugs, Infrastructure, Uber, Up For Discussion At B.C.'s Municipal Convention

    Drugs, Infrastructure, Uber, Up For Discussion At B.C.'s Municipal Convention
    Clinics, forums and plenary sessions are on the agenda Tuesday, in advance of official opening ceremonies and the speech from Premier Christy Clark, set for Wednesday.

    Drugs, Infrastructure, Uber, Up For Discussion At B.C.'s Municipal Convention

    Find Mill Shooter Not Guilty Because He Was Depressed: Defence Lawyer Says

    Find Mill Shooter Not Guilty Because He Was Depressed: Defence Lawyer Says
    NANAIMO, B.C. — A defence lawyer says the man accused of murdering two of his former co-workers at a British Columbia sawmill should be acquitted of first-degree murder and convicted of manslaughter.

    Find Mill Shooter Not Guilty Because He Was Depressed: Defence Lawyer Says

    Gay Firefighter Wins Compensation For Abuse On Halifax Military Base

    Gay Firefighter Wins Compensation For Abuse On Halifax Military Base
    HALIFAX — A firefighter has won compensation after enduring abuse and equipment tampering at a Halifax naval base because he is gay.

    Gay Firefighter Wins Compensation For Abuse On Halifax Military Base

    Judge Orders Girls' Bathroom Access For Transgender Student

    Judge Orders Girls' Bathroom Access For Transgender Student
    A federal judge rejected a school district's challenge to President Barack Obama's rule on transgender bathrooms on Monday, ordering a biologically male student who identifies as female be treated "like the girl she is."

    Judge Orders Girls' Bathroom Access For Transgender Student

    Video Streaming Service Shomi Says It Will Shut Down As Of Nov. 30

    Video Streaming Service Shomi Says It Will Shut Down As Of Nov. 30
    "The business climate and online video marketplace have changed markedly in the last few years," David Asch, senior vice-president and general manager for Shomi, said in a brief statement.

    Video Streaming Service Shomi Says It Will Shut Down As Of Nov. 30