Interim federal leader demands more action against Russia during Vernon forum

Candice Bergen says there has “not been a boring moment” since she became the interim leader of the Conservative party, and official opposition, one month ago.

Bergen, the MP for Portage-Lisgar in Manitoba since 2008, took part in a one-hour virtual forum hosted by the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce Monday, but had to leave after just 30 minutes due to having to attend to an urgent meeting.

Mel Arnold, the Conservative MP for North Okanagan-Shuswap, took questions from chamber manager Dan Proulx for the final 30 minutes.

Bergen said since being named interim leader on Feb. 2, she has had to deal with the trucker convoy protest in Ottawa, followed by the Emergencies Act being invoked by the Trudeau government, and now Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

She had nothing good to say about Russian leader Vladamir Putin.

“A brutal, barbaric, I would say probably very mentally unstable individual who is very dangerous,” Bergen said of the Russian president.

Bergen agrees with the sanctions being imposed by the Liberals, but called for more action.

“We would like to see the Russian ambassador expelled and we’d like to see our ambassador called back,” Bergen told the forum.

Bergen said the Conservatives also want Russian Today, a TV network that is broadcast in Canada, which she called “propaganda for Putin,” pulled off the air.

“We’d also like to see Putin further isolated on the world stage. Someone like him, and the regime that he leads, we don’t believe deserves a spot in the G20, or OSCE [Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe] or even the United Nations,” Bergen remarked.

The interim leader also supports allowing Ukrainians fleeing the war to come to Canada visa-free so they can find sanctuary and return to their homeland when its safe to do so.

As for the COVID-19 pandemic, Bergen said it’s encouraging to see provinces lifting restrictions and mandates.

“Conservatives believe this shouldn’t be a long and drawn-out process. We should follow the recommendations of our health officials and follow the science and evidence, and the sooner we can lift the restrictions, the better.”

Chamber manager Proulx had time to ask Bergen a couple questions, including what her party would do to make housing more affordable in Vernon and across B.C., noting the average house price is now over $700,000 in Canada.

Bergen noted affordable housing is a way to address homelessness and there is a way governments can encourage affordable housing buildings.

As for the out-of-control housing prices, she said municipalities have to address the housing supply issue.

“They can’t just say ‘sorry, not our problem, we want a national strategy.’ Municipalities have got to be able to allow developers to build houses, so we have more houses on the market. That will have an impact immediately on the value. I’ve seen it happen in my own riding,” Bergen stated.

Bergen also commended the chamber for pulling the community together by requesting clarity on COVID regulations, and by urging residents to support local businesses.

The party leader also had some kind words for Arnold, calling the third-term MP “one of the most well-liked, well-respected, knowledgeable members of parliament that we have in Ottawa and certainly in our caucus,” adding residents are “blessed to have him as your MP.”