HALIFAX—Andrew Scheer took aim at “political correctness” and the Liberals’ carbon pricing plan in a speech that previewed the Conservatives’ election year priorities Friday.

At a gathering of thousands of partisans in Halifax, Scheer put some red meat on the bones of his vision for a Conservative government in 2019.

The rookie Conservative leader emphasized outreach to Quebec, dredged up several recent Liberal ethical violations, and reiterated opposition to the government’s carbon pricing scheme. Without mentioning him by name, Scheer also appeared to indirectly respond to criticism from former Conservative MP Maxime Bernier, who quit the caucus Thursday, vowing to start a rival party.

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“I’ve travelled all over this country. There is a carbon tax revolt brewing,” Scheer said to applause from his party’s grassroots.

“Conservatives know the carbon tax isn’t just bad for big business; it’s bad for absolutely everyone. And that’s why, come 2019, my first act as prime minister will be to get rid of (it) once and for all.”

Party insiders told reporters that there was a lot riding on Scheer’s keynote address, given that this policy convention is a springboard for the party’s pitch to Canadians in the lead-up to the 2019 election.

Quebec received special attention. Scheer was introduced by both Alain Reyes, his Quebec lieutenant, and Richard Martel, a former hockey coach who won the recent byelection in Chicoutimi—Le Fjord. In his speech, Scheer pledged to create a single tax return form for Quebec residents – they currently file both provincial and federal tax returns — and promised to respect the “autonomy” of provincial governments.

Scheer’s speech returned several times to the notion of “political correctness.” He criticized the city of Victoria’s decision to remove a statue of John A. Macdonald, calling critics of Macdonald’s policies against First Nations “radical voices.”

“If we look back on our history and our leaders and only see the blemishes, we miss out on a beautiful story of a country that has progressed into one of the safest, freest and most prosperous in the world,” Scheer said.

It’s a criticism that may have been a response to Bernier, the now ex-Conservative MP, who denounced Victoria’s decision last week. And while Bernier was gone from the party Friday, he was not forgotten at the convention.

Bernier’s office said it was “impossible” for the Beauce MP to speak with the Star on Friday, but he made the rounds on national television, doubling down on his criticism of Scheer and his former party.

Larry Miller, the Ontario MP known as the “Keeper of the Flame” in the Conservative caucus, called Bernier’s decision to quit the party disappointing. But Miller said he doesn’t think it will lead to the kind of fragmentation conservative movements have experienced in the past in Canada.

“There’s nothing wrong with having differences of opinion. But Max had his chance in the leadership race,” Miller told the Star. “But it’s the same as a hockey game or a ball game. There can only be one winner. And same in this case, two leaders can’t win. Andrew won fair and square … Get over it. This isn’t about you; it’s about the movement.”

Nevertheless, it’s clear Bernier’s ideas resonated with at least some delegates at the Halifax convention. During a policy workshop, where delegates decided which proposals will be considered by the party on Saturday, opponents of Canada’s supply management system were incensed when time ran out before their motion could be considered.

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During Scheer’s speech, Bernier once again took to Twitter.

“To all those who feel let down by this party, I say: you will be let down again and again. Don’t waste your time,” Bernier said. “It’s time for a real conservative party defending real conservative values. The sooner this gets settled, the more chances we will have to defeat Justin Trudeau.”

Some delegates accused the party of rigging the process — which officials denied — while one suggested he would join Bernier’s nascent political movement.

Still, Conservative MPs and operatives maintained that Bernier’s political appeal is rather narrow, especially in his home province of Quebec, where supply management is deeply entrenched.

Even Bernier’s former supporters seemed to be rallying around the party.

One, Alupa Clarke, the MP for Beauport-Limoilou, worried Bernier’s exit could jeopardize his own seat.

“I want to tell Maxime, because of you I might not win (in 2019) because it’s very tight. I won with 31 per cent, and it’s a battle every day there,” Clarke told the Star.

“The division of the right will surely not help me because I’m in Quebec. I’m not in Calgary.”

Jacques Gourde, who also supported Bernier’s leadership, said he felt “personally betrayed” by his longtime friend.

“It was me who recruited Maxime Bernier (to the party),” Gourde said.

“The friendship will remain, but before this we worked together. Now we can’t work together anymore because I’ll remain in the Conservative party.”

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