(Photo: Moises Canales/620 CKRM)
Conservative Party of Canada leader Andrew Scheer was at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina Tuesday afternoon as part of the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce 2019 Luncheon Series.
Scheer was the guest speaker for today’s event as he spoke to an audience of a couple hundred. In attendance were chamber members, MLAs including Ken Cheveldayoff and Gordon Wyant, and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.
The Conservative leader gave a speech to the crowd on hand sharing the party’s goals and plans if elected in the fall. Following his speech, audience members had the chance to submit questions for a Q and A session.
One of the topics he touched on involved the carbon tax imposed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, which is known to be an item Scheer and the party are against.
On Monday morning, the Supreme Court of Canada confirmed that they will hear the Government of Saskatchewan’s challenge of the tax on December 5th.
He said even though the provincial government will be appealing the carbon tax, he and the Conservatives still aim to accomplish one of their election promises.
“Whether or not they want to get clarity around jurisdictional issues that may help guide policies going forward, that’s certainly up to them,” said Scheer. “On my part, there will not be a carbon tax to fight against, and there won’t be a carbon tax imposed on the people of Saskatchewan or anywhere else in this country.”
Repealing the carbon tax has been made a priority according to Scheer. He stated the Liberal government’s carbon tax has been proven not to work, and how his approach is “a real plan that focuses on green technology, not taxes”.
When discussing the legalization of cannabis, Scheer said they would not be looking to decriminalize or create legislation against it, but rather invest more money for research on the effects and to find better forms of preventing children from accessing the drug.
“As a father of five, I’m not thrilled about the idea of it being more accessible,” said Scheer. “Justin Trudeau promised that this would take cannabis out of the hands of organized crime and make it harder for young people to access. Studies show none of those are happening.”
Scheer also took the opportunity to speak about Regina-Wascana MP Ralph Goodale towards the end of the event. The Leader of the Official Opposition explained how he’s disappointed by seeing “Goodale do what Justin Trudeau tells him to do”.
“He voted against Energy East, he voted in favour of the carbon tax. I think the people of Regina need to ask themselves a very important question: if Ralph Goodale won’t vote for us, why should we vote for him?”
The Canadian federal election is on Monday, October 21st.
