By Mike Renzella
The Haldimand Press
HALDIMAND — Haldimand County’s recently elected MP has officially entered the Conservative leadership race for the second straight time, making her announcement in a video shared to social media on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 – International Women’s Day.
“Canadians are desperate for hope and are calling for unity,” said Lewis in her announcement video. “People on all sides of the debate need compassion and understanding.”
Lewis, who finished third in the last Conservative leadership debate in 2020, where she placed behind Peter MacKay and recently ousted Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, was elected Haldimand-Norfolk MP in a landslide victory last fall.
Lewis has been outspoken in her opposition to current Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, criticizing his stance on issues ranging from cutting funding to pregnancy care centres to his use of the Emergencies Act to deal with the Freedom Convoy in downtown Ottawa.
“Why was the public led to believe the Convoy leaders were involved in sedition when only mischief charges have been laid?” asked Lewis on her social media. “The gravity of suspending liberties and freezing assets is very serious and requires a full review.”
“Like it or not, the Prime Minister needs to take responsibility for his failed leadership,” she added in her video.
Currently, the only other official candidate in the leadership race is Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre. Other potential rivals for Lewis include the former Premier of Quebec, Jean Charest, as well as MacKay, Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong, and Brampton mayor Patrick Brown.
Lewis said her campaign will be based on “hope, unity, and compassion.”
“Guarding our freedoms and upholding our democracy means that we need to have compassionate hearts and listening ears.”
Lewis is no stranger to controversy, including opposing the banning of conversion therapy, her pro-life stance, her refusal to divulge her vaccination status, and her open support of the nationwide Freedom Convoy protest against COVID vaccine mandates and public health measures.
She summed up her decision to run: “This isn’t about who is right and who is wrong, it’s about who gets to be a part of this conversation, and the only acceptable answer to that question is everybody.”
Prospective candidates have until April 19 to declare themselves, with the election set to take place on September 10.
