Former Progressive Conservative leader and minister Peter MacKay has endorsed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to become Canada’s next prime minister.
MacKay last served as an MP from 1997 to 2015 and held roles as the former Minister of Justice, National Defence and Foreign Affairs in consecutive Conservative cabinets under former prime minister Stephen Harper.
On Wednesday, MacKay lauded the size of the crowd at Poilievre’s rally in Trento, Nova Scotia, “I don’t think I’ve seen this many people in this rink since a Platinum Blonde concert in 1988.”
“I’ve been to a few political rallies over the years, but I’ll tell you, this one has the energy and it has a feeling of hope and change, and that’s because Pierre Poilievre is delivering in his campaign.”
MacKay credited Poilievre for delivering what he called “hope for change in Canada” and “thoughtful sensible cost cutting policies”.
He continued his complimentary remarks calling Polievre a “consistent advocate” for fiscal responsibility, democratic health and the Canadian Armed Forces.
“You see in him a man filled with optimism and ideas,” he said. “You can see a leader with a plan to make life better and more affordable for Canadians, a leader who is tested, steady, and ready to be Prime Minister of Canada.”
MacKay also took a moment to criticize Liberal leader Mark Carney, “Canada desperately needs change, real change, and during this election, we’ve seen a Liberal leader that has not changed”.
“He and his Liberal team are offering more of the same old Liberal policy, the same old playbook, written by the same Trudeau advisors who got us into this mess in the first place.”
“Changing the conductor won’t change the music, we need a whole new orchestra in Canada.”
Peter MacKay is not currently running for any elected office, he most recently ran in the Conservative leadership race of 2020, eventually losing to Erin O’Toole in the third round.