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“The goal for me is to have a limited government and a government that respects taxpayers,” Bernier said.

Speaking on the future of the Conservative Party, which fell from power in the October election, Bernier is optimistic.

“I think we have a bright future,” Bernier said. “Four years from now, we will have greater opportunity. We need to be strong and honest about what we believe and that will be my goal.”

Taking over from Stephen Harper, who served as leader of the party from 2003 to 2015, is no small task for the next leader, but moving forward Bernier wants to get the party back to its roots.

“We have to go back to what we believe in and we can be successful,” Bernier said. “I think we should go back to our core conservative values. I think we need a leader who will understand our values and a leader who won’t be afraid to have the courage of his convictions.”

Photo by TROY FLEECE / Regina Leader-Post

One of the key points of his campaign is also ensuring a balanced budget if the Conservatives come into power in the next election, something Bernier felt the Liberals were doing the opposite of.

“Canadians know when you spend money you don’t have, you won’t get richer. That is what the government is doing,” Bernier said. “This is not good for future generations. They are the ones who will have to pay the deficit of today.”

Next week, Bernier will have an official launch to his campaign in his Quebec riding. For his campaign from that point on, he wants to keep things simple and to the point.

“I like what I am doing and I want to speak about what I believe,” Bernier said. “We must build on our good policy and be ready for the next election.”

cbaird@postmedia.com

twitter.com/craigbaird