'We want freedom': Hundreds take part in Bernier rally in Chatham
Hundreds of People’s Party of Canada (PPC) supporters called for “freedom” at a rally held by party leader Maxime Bernier in Chatham-Kent.
“I believe that a lot of Canadians like you will ask to themselves, if they want more government control or more freedom,” Bernier addressed the crowd.
During his speech, the far-right politician called for an end to vaccine mandates and says he’s standing up for the freedom of choice.
“Enough is enough, we want to gain back our freedom,” says Bernier.
Hundreds of supporters attended a Maxime Bernier rally in Chatham, Ont. on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. (Sijia Liu/CTV Windsor)
“I totally agree with what he’s saying, we are not against vaccines, we are not against masks. But the mandate, forcing it on people, that is totally wrong,” says rally attendee, Ajay Gapta.
Some local supporters of the People’s Party of Canada say they used to vote Conservative.
“Frankly I feel the three main parties have very similar platforms, but none of them have talked about their constitutional rights and freedoms,” PPC supporter Denise Herniman explains.
According to CTV News’ latest report conducted by Nanos Research, the PPC has been gaining ground throughout the country with major surges in British Colombia and Ontario.
“The support for Bernier is really a reflection of frustration that people throughout Canada, particularly in Ontario where we have had lockdowns,” says Lydia Miljan, University of Windsor political science professor.
Hundreds of supporters attended a Maxime Bernier rally in Chatham, Ont. on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. (Sijia Liu/CTV Windsor)
The latest polling shows the PPC has 6.8 per cent support, bumping the party up to fourth place. As for who Canadians prefer as their next prime minister, Bernier also ranks fourth, surpassing the Bloc Quebecois and Green Party leaders.
With the Liberals and Conservatives going head to head in the final stretch of the campaign, Bernier’s party splitting votes among right-leaning voters could impact O’Toole’s path to power.
“The question is, do the PPC love Bernier enough to vote for him or do they hate Trudeau enough to vote for the conservative leader Erin O’Toole?” says Miljan.
It’s unclear if the rising popularity will reflect in the polls. In Chatham-Kent, PPC candidate Liz Valle will campaign against Conservative Dave Epp (incumbent), Liberal Greg Hetherington, NDP Dan Gelinas, and Green Party Mark Vercouteren.
Bernier made his way from Chatham to London where he spoke at Wonderland Gardens before departing for a rally in Aylmer Wednesday evening.
A cross-section of Londoners as well as PPC candidates were on hand for the event.
Among the crowd were members of the Aylmer Church of God, business people and at least one London city councillor.
Candidates touched on topics of freedom and mask wearing.
- With files from CTV London's Bryan Bicknell
PPC Leader Maxime Bernier speaking at Springbank Gardens in London, Ont., Sept 15, 2021. (Source: Darrin Calcutt)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Three Quebec men from same family father hundreds of children
Three men in Quebec from the same family have fathered more than 600 children.
'What have we done?' Lawyer describes shock at possible role in Trump's 2016 victory
A lawyer who negotiated a pair of hush money deals at the centre of Donald Trump's criminal trial recalled Thursday his "gallows humor" reaction to Trump's 2016 election victory and the realization that his hidden-hand efforts might have contributed to the win.
New scam targets Canada Carbon Rebate recipients
Fake text message and email campaigns trying to get money and information out of unsuspecting Canadian taxpayers have started circulating, just months after the federal government rebranded the carbon tax rebate the Canada Carbon Rebate.
B.C. mayor stripped of budget, barred from committees over Indigenous residential schools book
A British Columbia mayor has been censured by city council – stripping him of his travel and lobbying budgets and removing him from city committees – for allegedly distributing a book that questions the history of Indigenous residential schools in Canada.
Conservative MP says Chinese hacking attack targeted his personal email
A Conservative MP is challenging claims by House of Commons administration that a China-backed hacking attempt did not impact any members of Parliament, because the attack was on his personal email.
Loblaw leaders call criticism 'misguided,' say they aren't to blame for high food prices
Loblaw chairman Galen Weston and the company's new CEO are pushing back against critics who blame the grocery giant for soaring food prices, as a month-long boycott of the retailer gets underway.
Heavy police presence at McGill University as counter-protesters assemble opposite pro-Palestinian encampment
A heavy police presence was at McGill University on Thursday morning, as counter-protesters assembled opposite the pro-Palestinian encampment at the school.
Captain sentenced to 4 years for criminal negligence in fiery deaths of 34 aboard scuba boat
A federal judge on Thursday sentenced a scuba dive boat captain to four years in custody and three years supervised release for criminal negligence after 34 people died in a fire aboard the vessel.