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“If you want to convince Conservatives and Canadians to be on your side, I think they must know what you will do for them. That’s why it’s important for me to bring these new ideas,” he said Tuesday.

“Everybody will know what Maxime Bernier is standing for, what I believe, what I think will be right for this party. I think it’s essential if you want to be the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada to bring ideas and (have) these debates.”

His approach has been far different from fellow leadership contenders, who have held off on major promises.

Most have taken a slow and steady approach, believing they are better off making policy announcements in the fall or winter, when more people will be paying attention.

Bernier is also directly challenging the occasional controversial proposal from other candidates, including Kellie Leitch asking Conservative members whether new immigrants and refugees coming to Canada should be vetted for “anti-Canadian values” as part of normal screening.

He said Leitch’s idea of a possible “values test” for immigrants isn’t needed. Rather, there are “fundamental Canadian values” that must be protected and respected, including equality before the law, equality between men and women, tolerance and freedom.

“New Canadians and people born in Canada agree with these values. So the best way to promote our Canadian values is to be sure to integrate new Canadians to our society, is to offer them more opportunities and more freedom, and that will help to promote these values,” Bernier said.