Maxime Bernier, MP for Beauce Quebec, headlined a Conservative Party fundraising dinner in St. Paul on Jan. 17, at the request of Brian Storseth, MP for Westlock/St. Paul. The event held at the St. Paul Golf Course attracted about 70 people and Bernier’s message of less government and lower taxes connected with local business people in a positive way.
“It was totally enjoyed by our group from Mallaig,” said Henri Amyotte, who attended the event with his wife and three other couples from the area. “He made us aware of how much the government is doing, saying, ‘Don’t ask the government for more, ask them for less.’ Amyotte explained of Bernier’s message that if local and regional communities take up more of the responsibility for providing for themselves, there will need to be less government involvement and potentially, better success for those communities.
Amyotte said that although Bernier is from Quebec, his views are very pro-Canada and about keeping Canada together as a nation. He said Bernier talked about Senate reform and how the federal Conservative party supports an elected Senate.
“It was very informative and yet very light and entertaining,” said Amyotte, adding that his wife was initially hesitant about going but ended up really enjoying the night’s dinner and speeches.
In a phone interview after the presentation, Bernier said that he loves Alberta and was enjoying his visit to the province. He said in Quebec, he is sometimes called “the Albertan from Quebec” which he regards as a compliment.
Bernier said one of the questions raised at the presentation in St. Paul was about equalization payments to Quebec. He stated that he has said before and in speeches in Quebec that “I am not proud to be a Quebecer when we receive $8.5 billion in equalization payments.” Bernier notes that Quebec receives more than half of the $15 billion program. “That money is coming from Alberta. It’s coming from the west with oil sands.”
He said that the Bloc Quebecois preaches to Quebecers about independence, yet Gilles Duceppe, leader of the federal separatist party, is making the province dependent on the rest of Canada by asking for more equalization money.
“The goal should be to receive less equalization because that will mean we are richer,” said Bernier. “I understand (the frustration of the) people out west, when they are looking at what the Quebec government is doing with that money. We are giving the people social services to Quebecers that you don’t have here in Alberta.”
He said throughout North America, governments are building huge deficits and huge debts and increasing taxes. “But that is not the solution. The solution is less government, more freedom, and more economic growth. If people have more money in their pockets, they will bring prosperity,” said Bernier.
According to Bernier, an early election will only be called if the federal opposition party forces one but if it does happen, he is hopeful that the Conservative party will increase the number of seats in his home province.
“We don’t want an election; the Prime Minister has made that very clear,” said Bernier. However, if there is an election, he will to carry the message to Quebecers that his party stands for lower taxes, more personal freedom and constitutional peace with the rest of Canada. “And that is what Quebecers want.”
“I feel it is important for the people in our community to see that there are other Conservatives across our country fighting for the same principles that we in St. Paul believe in, smaller government, lower taxes, more personal freedom and responsibility,” said MP Brian Storseth in a press release of the purpose of bringing Bernier to the constituency.
