Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Michael Reeve

CANADA VOTES 2025

Bernier rallies PPC support in Kamloops, highlights differences in right-of-centre platforms

Apr 14, 2025 | 4:39 PM

KAMLOOPS — Approximately 40 supporters gathered at Riverside Park on Friday evening (April 11) to meet with the leader of the People’s Party of Canada, Maxime Bernier. It’s the third straight election that Bernier has stopped in Kamloops, and so far in the 2025 campaign, he is the only leader who has campaigned in the Tournament Capital.

Looking to secure a foothold in Canadian politics, the People’s Party is still seeking its first MP, as they approach their third election in two weeks’ time, showcasing differences between themselves and Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives.

“Climate change — we will withdraw from the Paris Accord. They won’t. Trade war — we won’t do a trade war. They are. Immigration — we want to stop mass immigration. They won’t. The war in Ukraine — they want to have more wars. We don’t. We want to have a peace deal over there. In the most important issues for the future of this country, we are very different,” said Bernier.

Bernier stating that continued growth and spread of the PPC message is the goal this April.

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“We had five per cent of the vote at the last election. Our goal is to increase that. Our goal is to have our first candidate elected at this election. I don’t know — everything can happen,” added Bernier.

A few dozen loyal supporters showed up on Friday to hear the leader speak, asking those in attendance to share his message widely.

“If the people were so scared that the Liberals were going to win so they are going to vote Conservative just voted for the PPC, you would probably see the ball start moving,” said Scott Arsenault. “A few PPC members — including Max Bernier — being in parliament is more important than a Conservative minority or Conservative majority.”

“I think we have too much polarity in Canadian politics where not enough bureaucratic things change. And I believe in so many things that Maxime Bernier says and there is probably a slim chance that he will become in power, but I believe that big changes are needed,” said Gordon Kretchmar.

The People’s Party has candidates in both Kamloops ridings, who are gearing up for the stretch run of the campaign.

“I’ve wanted to meet him in person for a long time. I respect everything he has been doing for Canadians over the past few years,” said Chris Enns, PPC candidate in Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola.

“Max wants to make our tax dollars stay in Canada,” added Michael Henry, PPC candidate for Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies. “I think he’s mentioned that, and we are just so much different than the other parties. And Max showed that today with his examples. I’m so happy he was here and I think the message will resonate.”

Election day is Monday April 28.

“I believe that the mainstream media will not be able to ignore us anymore when we have an MP elected under the banner of the People’s Party,” said Bernier.