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Federal Conservative leadership candidate Maxime Bernier revealed MLA endorsements from both of Alberta’s right-of-centre parties Tuesday.

Seven MLAs from the Wildrose Party and one from the Progressive Conservative party assembled with Bernier at the Matrix Hotel in downtown Edmonton to throw their support behind the Quebecker, who has been polling close to frontrunner Kevin O’Leary.

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Wildrose MLA Derek Fildebrandt said Bernier has always been sympathetic to Alberta’s point of view and joked that it “took the Albertan from Quebec to finally unite the right in Alberta.”

Photo by Bloom, David / Postmedia

Bernier rattled off policy proposals familiar to Alberta conservatives, including scrapping the federal carbon tax, approving pipelines and freezing and reviewing the equalization system. He also repeatedly mentioned Alberta’s importance in getting a Conservative government elected again.

“Alberta is the foundation of our party,” said Bernier, adding the endorsements bring more credibility to his campaign.

Bernier said his goal is to secure 40 seats in Quebec — a big jump from the party’s current count of 12 — and hold onto the party’s dominance in Alberta, where it holds 29 of 34 seats.

The Wildrose MLAs at the event backing Bernier were Leela Aheer, Jason Nixon, Angela Pitt, Derek Fildebrandt, Scott Cyr, Wes Taylor and Rick Strankman, along with PC MLA Mike Ellis.

Fildebrandt said Wildrose MLA Don MacIntyre is also backing Bernier, but was unable to attend the news conference.

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