Liberal MP ‘surprised’ social conservative felt ‘ambush’ by abortion questions

OTTAWA — The Liberal MP who invited a Conservative MP to appear on his podcast says he’s surprised the Conservative described feeling “shot” by questions about his long-standing and well-known opposition to abortion.

Nate Erskine-Smith says he is, however, less surprised to see Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre distance himself from Alberta MP Arnold Viersen’s comments.

“I think if he wants to win the election, those kinds of views are anathema to most Canadians,” he told reporters Wednesday.

During his appearance on Erskine-Smith’s podcast, Viersen discussed his socially conservative views on issues such as abortion and gay marriage, which he said he would vote against if given the chance.

“I hope for the day when abortion is unthinkable,” Viersen told Erskine-Smith, as he expressed his position as a proud social conservative in his party’s caucus.

The two also spoke about Viersen’s opposition to the Liberals’ 2018 cannabis legalization legislation, for which Erskin-Smith was a major supporter.

But earlier in the episode, Erskine-Smith read a letter he received from Viersen after the interview, in which the MP said he felt “ambushed” by questions.

After the episode emerged, Poilievre issued a statement through his office saying Viersen’s comments did not represent his or the party’s views on abortion or gay marriage, which he said a future Conservative government would not touch .

“As our party’s policy book, adopted by party members, has said for years, ‘a Conservative government will not support any legislation to regulate abortion,'” Poilievre said in the statement.

“I will run a small government that minds its own business, letting people make their own decisions about their love lives, their families, their bodies, their speech, their beliefs and their money.”

The statement also said cannabis would remain legal under a Conservative federal government.

It is unusual for Poilievre to issue a statement to media outlets in response to something one of his own MPs said.

Shortly after the podcast episode aired, Viersen was quick to release a brief statement on social media to clarify that his views are his alone and do not reflect the position of Poilievre or the party.

Poilievre met with his caucus on Wednesday for the first time since the issue emerged, giving lawmakers a chance to address the issue in person behind closed doors. The leader himself was expected to speak on the issue.

Since taking over, Poilievre has tried to keep the Conservatives focused on the issues the party sees as key to winning the next election: the economy, housing and the cost of living.

He has typically avoided topics such as abortion and same-sex marriage that have fueled the hopes of former party leaders.

“I think (Canadians) want to hear about their jobs and the economy,” Ontario MP Ben Lobb said in response to questions about the podcast interview.

Viersen’s comments follow attempts by the Liberal party to suggest that Poilievre is willing to reopen the abortion rights debate in Canada and that the Conservative leader can use the override clause in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to overturn reproductive rights.

Poilievre’s office said it would use the waiver clause only for criminal justice reforms.

While the party has long been aligned with the social conservatives, many MPs and party members say sticking to their economic message at a time when Canadians are worried about their finances is crucial to defeating Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals .

Poilievre first vowed not to reopen the abortion debate during the 2022 leadership contest, which saw him with a stunning first-ballot victory under the “liberty” banner.

While she’s spent the years since attacking the Liberals over Trudeau’s spending record, crime and carbon pricing, Viersen has remained pro-abortion.

For example, he was the only Conservative MP to attend the annual March for Life anti-abortion rally on Parliament Hill last month.

The anti-abortion organization Right Now emailed supporters this week accusing Poilievre of declaring war on social conservatives. The organization has been active in the last few party leadership races and is working to elect anti-abortion representatives to Parliament.

Addressing a Liberal caucus meeting on Wednesday, Erskine-Smith told reporters he was surprised by the sentiments in Viersen’s letter, given the amount of advocacy the MP has done for what he calls ” preborn”.

Viersen’s office has not yet responded to a request for comment.

The MP has not attended the House of Commons in person since his appearance on the podcast and was not seen entering the Conservative meeting on Wednesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 5, 2024.

Stephanie Taylor, Canadian Press