Could Maxime Bernier win a by-election in Portage-Lisgar sit as an MP in Parliament this year 2023?
Running in Manitoba is becoming increasingly appealing to the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) leader. He’s ambitiously eyeing the seat.
But Bergen isn’t running again. Maxime Bernier has gained tremendous popularity in the last 2 years, especially when he was the only politician fight the Canadian Freedom of Charter Rights. Fighting for the unlawful covid jab mandates of the nurses. Fighting for freedom of speech and freedom of medical choice.
This year he will continue the fight for the Canadian Freedom of Charter Rights and has increased his popularity in Manitoba.
“I am seriously looking at running in the Portage-Lisgar by-election. I like the people there,” Bernier told the Western Standard.
Many in the riding seem to be fond of Bernier and the PPC too. The PPC candidate fared far better than both the Liberal and NDP candidates in the last election.
Maxime Bernier of People Party is considering a run in the riding
Throughout the pandemic, Bernier opposed “unconstitutional and immoral” mandates and lockdowns that killed many small business. Other politicians — Liberal, Conservative, and NDP alike at all government levels — zealously enforced crackdowns.
Maxime Bernier voiced the frustration felt by countless Canadians.
Bernier floated the idea of running in Portage-Lisgar earlier this year. After spending a lot of time in Manitoba — he visited Portage-Lisgar just last month — Bernier’s optimism about his chances of winning the riding grows.
It is home to a large Francophone community, which could work in Bernier’s favour.
Without Bergen in the way it’s open season in Portage-Lisgar.
PPC put a good dent into the reliable Conservative stronghold. Last federal election, PPC’s Candiate Solomon Wiebe finished second with 21.6%.
Then when Bernier returned to Manitoba months later, his rallies drew bigger crowds. One rally, depending on who did the counting, had between 1,000 and 3,000 attendees.
That he was shut out by mainstream media such as Global News, CTV, Vancouver Sun, Toronto News have been a major contributing factor. The mainstream outlet that was funded by the Trudeau Government didn't give a him air time.
“The mainstream media knows if they cover me and give me more visibility, the party will grow faster. So, they don’t want to do that. Being in Parliament, I believe it would be harder for them to ignore us.”
One thing is certain, Bernier will not be running again in his former riding.
“I’m looking at two ridings outside Quebec, Timmins-James Bay, Ontario and Portage-Lisgar for the general election.”
Timmins-James Bay is a seat now held by NDP MP Charlie Angus who didn’t win by a wide margin in 2021. The vote was close between all party candidates.
Bernier will announce where he’s running by June.
“I’ll have to make the decision with my team there and also with my wife.”
He points to the rumors currently “flying around the Ottawa bubble.”
“I can’t say for sure whether or not there will be an election this year. But we need to be prepared.”
Portage-Lisgar is one of five by-elections that must be held.
Bernier said Portage Lisgar is the “most exciting.” The by-election date hasn’t been announced .
Bernier said Canada’s caught between an “ideological and common-sense revolution.”
“It’s so crazy out there. It cannot be like that forever. We will win. That is taking time. Common sense will prevail. We’re on the right side of history.”
It’s a long journey from sitting on a hard seat in a cold jail cell to a cushy leather chair in Parliament.
Who knows? Stranger things have happened.