‘We Must Stop Apologizing’: Conservative Convention Starts With Keynote Address by Retired General

‘Refraining from Apologies’: Conservative Convention Commences With Keynote Speech by Retired General

September 7, 2023 TruthUSA

QUEBEC CITY—Canada should stop apologizing for its past, long-time Conservative supporter Lt.-Gen. Michel Maisonneuve said in his keynote address at the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) convention held in Quebec City on Sept. 7.

“We must stop apologizing. We need to acknowledge the past and learn from it, not erase it,” Mr. Maisonneuve told a crowd of CPC delegates and volunteers gathered at the Centre des congrès de Québec to vote on policy resolutions during the three-day convention.

While mentioning rising living costs and saying the current Liberal government has failed to address them, Mr. Maisonneuve, who is known for his pro-freedom talks, drew the most response from the crowd when talking about the need to celebrate Canada.

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Retired Lt.-Gen. Michel Maisonneuve and his wife retired Maj. Barbara Maisonneuve at the Conservative Party convention at the Centre des congrès de Québec in Quebec City on Sept. 7, 2023. (Omid Ghoreishi/The Epoch Times)

“Our fathers of confederation were not perfect, but they created a country that became the Canada that we know today, and they did that without a bloody civil war,” said Mr. Maisonneuve, who shared the stage with his wife, retired Maj. Barbara Maisonneuve.

Pointing to the Canadian flag, Mr. Maisonneuve added that this is the flag that should be flying on government buildings.

“The red maple leaf is the flag that can and should unite all Canadians,” he said.

“It is the flag, it stands for all our freedoms as Canadians without regard to special interests, as all equal under the law.”

As the crowd cheered with a standing ovation, he said: “I’m glad you agree with me.”

‘Axe the Tax’

The night’s talks began with an address by CPC President Robert Batherson, who, like party leader Pierre Poilievre in his recent public addresses, kept the focus on cost-of-living issues.

“Who is ready to axe the tax?” Mr. Batherson said, repeating a CPC chant that was also repeated by different speakers throughout the night.

Addressing delegates and supporters, Mr. Batherson asked them to work “like we never worked before” to ensure a CPC government after the next election.

The event was hosted by Quebec MP Pierre Paul-Hus and Calgary MP Stephanie Kusie, who, like Mr. Batherson, emphasized cost-of-living issues, and how their party is the one that can make things right.