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Dairy farming is big in his own Quebec riding, but Bernier said he wants to see the dismantling of supply management in agriculture, which regulates production using quotas and guarantees prices for Canadian farmers for such commodities as milk, eggs and poultry. Bernier said consumers in countries which have ended supply management pay half as much at retail outlets for such products.

In response to a question from an audience member who described herself as a social conservative, Bernier wouldn’t say how he might vote on the issue of right-to-life versus pro-choice. But he did say he would invite all voices to be heard in a party under his leadership.

“Maybe the abortion debate will be reopened,” he said.

Bernier promised a big increase in military spending by pledging to have Canada meet a target of two per cent of GDP on defence spending — almost double the current rate.

Photo by Dan Janisse / Windsor Star

Windsor’s Bob Harper said Bernier ranks “in my top three” among leadership candidates. The economy is Harper’s top concern, and he said he appreciated Bernier’s “different way of doing things.”

George Orban of Tecumseh said the presentation followed by a question-and-answer session was enough to encourage him to take a deeper look at Bernier’s platform. Orban said it’s important to him that every Canadian be able to express opinions, even when at odds with political party positions.

“People need to have a say, and sometimes the people don’t have a say,” said Orban.

Bernier said he disagrees with fellow leadership candidate Kellie Leitch’s proposal of a Canadian values test for immigrants. People are drawn to this country, he said, because of those values, including equality before the law and equality between men and women.

Bernier said he was against a Canadian peacekeeping mission to Africa, where there’s “no peace to keep,” and he wants an end to the CRTC regulating the telecommunications industry.