Brian Mulroney praises O'Toole as 'steady, strong and visionary'

Former prime minister and Progressive Conservativeleader Brian Mulroney gave a ringing endorsement to Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole Wednesday evening.

At a Conservative rallyat theHtel Chribourgin Orford, Que., Mulroney praised O'Toole's leadership of the party, calling him "steady, strong and visionary."

O'Toole's campaign appearance alongside an former Progressive Conservative leader like Mulroney isanother sign that the Conservative leader is making a play for more moderate voters.

Earlier Wednesday, O'Toole tried to distance himself from the policies of past leaders like Stephen Harper and Andrew Scheer, who were more closely tied to the Conservative party's other predecessor parties the more right-wing Reform and Canadian Alliance. Under Harper and Scheer, some past PC supporters felt alienated from the Conservative cause and defected to the Liberal party.

"My priority has been to build a Conservative movement where every Canadian can feel at home. Inclusive, diverse, forward-looking, progressive, worker-friendly," O'Toole said at a campaign stop in Saguenay, Que. "We're not your dad's Conservative Party anymore."

Referring tohis own tumultuous time in office, Mulroney suggested thatin a post-COVID era, an O'Toole-led government might have to make some major changes that could prove divisive.

Mulroney left office deeply unpopular with voters. In retirement, hehas workedto rebrandhisfailed constitutional reform efforts and his introduction of theGoods and Services Tax (GST) as initiatives that werenecessary to country's continued prosperity.

"There'll be tough and deep structural changes to be made for our country if we are to enhance the prosperity and influence of Canada," Mulroney said.

"Some of these decisions may make Erin unpopular. Of course, I never was ...Canadians are very resistant to change but I know that he and his government will persist and implement their agenda and will be looked upon then and throughout history with favour."

Mulroney's campaign appearancehappened just a day afterformer Liberalprime ministerJean Chrtienspoke at a party rally in Brampton, Ont., in support of Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau.

WATCH/Former PM Mulroney endorses O'Toole

Former PM Mulroney endorses O'Toole

3 years ago

Duration 2:57

Former prime minister and Progressive Conservative Party leader Brian Mulroney endorses Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole.

UnlikeChrtien, Mulroney did not criticize the leaders ofrival parties in his speech.

"I'm not here tonight to attack anybody.I'm here for one single reason to help elect Erin O'Toole as the next prime minister of Canada," Mulroney said to cheers.

Mulroney also drew attention tosimilarities between himself andO'Toole.

"I married up, and so did Erin," Mulroney said, referring to his spouse, Mila, and O'Toole's, Rebecca. "I became a lawyer, so did Erin."

When O'Toole took the stage, he took shots atTrudeau over calling a mid-pandemic electionand Liberal scandals involving SNC-Lavalin and the WE Charity.

"We're in the very last stretch of the race, and this is when we're kicking it into high gear," O'Toole said. "The one reason why Mr. Trudeau has called this election is to save his job."

Mulroney, who is 82 andwas prime minister from 1984 to 1993, generally hasstayed away from campaign eventsin federal elections since leaving politics. He was the last Progressive Conservative prime minister elected with a majority government; in 1984his party won the largest number of seatsat the federal level in Canadian history.

WATCH / Erin O'Toole on Mulroney's appearance at event

Conservative Party Leader Erin O'Toole defends former prime minister Brian Mulroney's appearance at event

3 years ago

Duration 0:46

O'Toole defended the former prime minister's appearance at his event, saying Mulroney was a defender of Quebec rights and a leader in the fight against apartheid in South Africa.

Mulroney retired in 1993and under his successor, Kim Campbell, the PCs lost all but two of theirseats in the 1993 federal election.

In his speech, Mulroney said that O'Toolespoke withhim in the months leading up to the election.

"I had a call from Erin. He said, 'Prime minister, I should tell you that there are bad polls, predicting my defeat. We are getting negative media coverage, and there is grumbling in the party. What do you think?'" Mulroney recounted.

"'I said, 'Erin, I think you should be thrilled ... because that's exactly what they said about me, three months before the election in '84 when we won the largest majority in the history of Canada.'"