Statement
I made a promise to myself when I started this race: to be an authentic leader to Canadians, while staying true to my values.
When it became clear that Canada was facing a massive public health crisis, I cancelled all my events and returned home. I repeatedly asked LEOC and the Conservative Party of Canada to suspend the race and to postpone the March 25 deadline because of this public health emergency. Regrettably until now, they refused to do so.
Instead, the party offered to help share with our members a ‘virtual townhall’. After much consideration, I have decided to decline this offer. I still fundamentally believe now is not the time to campaign, virtually or by other means.
During this national health crisis, I don’t have the heart to call our members to ask them to support my nomination and to donate money. I wouldn’t be true to myself if I did continue this campaign.
I wanted to do politics differently. I wanted to turn the page on the old ways of doing things, throw out the old play book, grow our base and reach out to Canadians so they could get behind a real positive conservative vision. I wanted to bring forward ideas and solutions that would make peoples’ lives easier.
The priority of Canadians across the country is primarily their health, the health of their loved ones and their financial security. As I said, politics can wait, health cannot.
If the Conservative Party of Canada wants to disqualify me on March 25th for being true to my values and refusing to campaign during this public health emergency, I will leave this race with no regrets as I believe it is the right thing to do and what real leadership is all about.
If they do choose to disqualify me, I would ask the Conservative Party to do the right thing by donating my $25,000 entrance fee to the Canadian Red Cross, which is helping Canadians during this crisis.
I would like to thank my team, my volunteers and the thousands of Canadians who supported me.
To those Canadians who are sick or worried about their families and their financial well-being, my thoughts are with you. To the frontline workers who have been tirelessly working to keep our country safe; we all salute your courage and resolve.