One of the most outspoken critics of the Liberal government has thrown his support behind a Simcoe North Conservative nominee hopeful.
Pierre Poilievre, the federal Conservatives’ finance critic, took part in an online event Saturday, when he endorsed Marcus Mattinson, who is seeking the nomination to succeed Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton, who is not running for re-election.
“I urge you to buy a membership, make a donation, volunteer your time and share his message on social media so that we can make (Mattinson) the next MP, a proud member of our caucus and a great voice for the community,” Poilievre said during the event held on Zoom.
Mattinson feels that endorsement will give his campaign a boost.
“Pierre is probably one of the strongest Conservative voices in Ottawa,” he said, praising the Carleton MP for his relentless focus on finance issues as they relate to the COVID-19 pandemic and the WE Charity controversy. “I’m trying to build my name locally and what I stand for. It’s very encouraging for my campaign to receive the support of Pierre.”
Mattinson has known Poilievre for a number of years, having worked on his campaign in 2015. He also worked with Poilievre’s wife, Anaida Galindo, in Ottawa.
“They’ve been very supportive of my career, so I’m very pleased to receive that support,” Mattinson said.
Poilievre’s style when going after the government has often made him a lightning rod for criticism from opponents and on social media. That style is exactly what’s needed in Ottawa, Mattinson said.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do in Ottawa and that’s going to take unapologetic Conservatives who will hold the government accountable. That’s the kind of leadership we’re going to need if we want to make change,” he said. “We need unapologetic defenders of free speech in a world where our prime minister hints that there should be limits.”
Mattinson has earned the backing of a number of other politicians, too, including St. Albert-Edmonton MP Michael Cooper, Markham-Unionville MP Bob Saroya and Sturgeon River-Parkland MP Dane Lloyd.
A date has not yet been set for the Simcoe North Conservative nomination meeting.
