Conservative leader Andrew Scheer vowed to replace the George Massey Tunnel in Delta and made other public transportation promises while on the federal election campaign trail in Coquitlam today (Friday).
Speaking at the Evergreen Cultural Centre and using the Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station as a backdrop, Scheer said his party would prioritize infrastructure projects to shorten commute times in urban centres around Canada.
Besides the tunnel upgrade that he said would benefit Metro Vancouver drivers, Scheer also spoke about the Ontario Line and the Yonge subway extension in Toronto as well as the third link between Quebec City and Levis.
He also responded to reporters’ questions about his decision not to attend climate strikes, a worldwide movement Friday that was supported by other national leaders to take a stand on climate change.
“It’s always encouraging when you see so many people, especially young people, show their concern for this very important issue,” Scheer said at the press conference. “That is why we have many candidates and members of Parliament who are there.”
If the Conservatives form government after the Oct. 21 election and he becomes prime minister, Scheer said, his government would end the Liberal government's $35-billion Infrastructure Bank, scrap the carbon tax and launch a green public transit tax credit, among other things.
The event came with disappointment for Nardwuar the Human Serviette — aka John Ruskin — the famed Vancouver celebrity interviewer who waited in the parking lot for an impromptu meet and a chance to get Scheer to play the Hip Flip game.
Over the years, Nardwuar has taken leaders on the campaign trail out of their comfort zones and to play the game with him. Earlier this month, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh talked about his love for ’90s hip hop music and did the Hip Flip at the end of the interview; Trudeau played the game in 2015.
To date, Nardwuar has been denied by Green Party leader Elizabeth May and Scheer was also a no-go Friday “for scheduling reasons,” a handler told The Tri-City News. (Meanwhile, at least two Scheer campaign workers stopped to talk with Nardwuar and pose for selfies.)
Afterwards, Nardwuar told The Tri-City News he has been promised he'll get to meet with Scheer sometime in October, when the Tory chief plans to return to B.C.
