Photo: The Canadian Press
Former British Columbia premier Christy Clark on Wednesday endorsed Jean Charest as the next leader of the federal Conservatives at a time when she says the party is running to the extremes.
He also voiced choice words for a front-runner in the Alberta United Conservative Party leadership contest who has vowed to introduce legislation to override federal laws.
“I think this is bat, not crazy,” Clark said of Danielle Smith’s proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act.
Clark’s comment followed an impassioned speech he gave in Edmonton to a room of conservatives gathered to discuss the need for the federal party to move closer to the political center.
The event was organized by Center Ice Conservatives, an advocacy group that formed at the start of the Conservative leadership contest to encourage candidates to focus on issues such as the economy. He argues that championing affordability measures resonates with mainstream Canadians more than others, such as the fight against pandemic-related health restrictions, which has become a rallying cry for many in the conservative movement.
Its co-founder Rick Peterson ran in the party’s leadership contest in 2017 and has said the new group will not endorse any candidate in the current race.
Clark was the keynote speaker at Wednesday’s event and only commented on the contest to replace Alberta Premier Jason Kenney as UCP leader when asked by an audience member.
Clark, who previously led the centre-right BC Liberal Party, spoke for about 20 minutes about the need for political leaders to focus on what Canadians have in common and not fuel division.
He accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of dividing the country when he said the views of the “Freedom Convoy” protesters who blocked roads and freeways last winter to oppose COVID-19 vaccine mandates were unacceptable
Clark said divisive politicians create opportunities for others to do the same.
“Now we’re watching the Conservative Party of Canada make a run for the extremes to play to the edges of the political divide,” he said.
“I think some days his rhetoric is just as bad or even worse.”
His comments come as party members have less than a month to vote to elect the next leader.
The race, which began in February, has been a struggle for the soul and the future direction of the party.
The main rivalry has been between former Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, who runs a broad “freedom” campaign message, and former Quebec premier Jean Charest, who has condemned the convoy for violating the rule of law.
Of the 678,000 Conservative members who were able to vote in the race, the party reports that about 174,000 ballots were returned before the September 6 deadline.
Speaking Wednesday, Clark said he recently received his ballot in the mail and will vote in the contest.
“I think Jean Charest would make a fantastic prime minister,” he said.