NOTE: The Toronto Sun has offered column space to all of the major political party leaders to make their pitch to you, the voter. Here is Peoples Party Leader Maxime Berniers contribution.

MAXIME BERNIER

Populist sentiment is on the rise in almost every Western country, including Canada.

Populism does not simply express anger at the current government. Its a symptom of a deeper disconnect.

Its a reaction from disenfranchised citizens who have lost faith in our institutions capacity to reflect their concerns. And who feel that even their right to voice these concerns is being negated by the elites disdain and a curtailment of their free speech.

The Peoples Party is populist because it proposes solutions to Canadas problems that radically differ from those of all the establishment parties.

Or course, that doesnt mean theyre good solutions. You can have a reactionary type of populism with disastrous economic policies. Or smart populism, based on sound policies.

In all my career, I have always supported sound, small-government, responsible free-market policies.

Depending on the issue, the policies my party is proposing are supported by a majority or a substantial minority of Canadians. These Canadians deserve a voice.

The Peoples Party is the only one that will reduce immigration to a sustainable level, from 350,000 per year to a maximum of 150,000. We will increase the proportion of economic immigrants who bring skills in demand, choose immigrants who share Canadian values, and close the border to false refugees at Roxham Rd.

The PPC is the only party also that will end official multiculturalism and the constant glorification of diversity. We will focus on the integration of immigrants in our society.

The PPC is the only party that will abolish foreign aid, except for help in emergency situations. Before we send money to build roads or provide health care and education in Africa and Asia, we should take care of the many Canadians in need.

The PPC is the only party that will balance the budget in two years and then use surpluses to lower taxes. We will end the corrupt practice of pandering and buying votes from interest groups and political clienteles with taxpayers money.

The PPC is the only party that rejects political correctness, is not afraid to oppose radical Islam, and will protect free speech.

The PPC is the only party that opposes climate alarmism and will not increase taxes or regulations to fight global warming.

The PPC has a unique platform on so many issues that its hard to list them all. Its also the only party that will:

Stop Ottawas meddling in provincial jurisdictions such as health care. Provinces should have the autonomy to experiment and solve our long waiting lists for surgery.

Reduce equalization payments, and change the formula so that it stops being a permanent welfare program for poorer provinces.

Use article 92(10) of our Constitution to ensure that pipelines get built.

Abolish the costly system of supply management for dairy, poultry and eggs.

Abolish corporate welfare and lower corporate taxes equally for all businesses.

Reduce Canadas presence in corrupt UN institutions to a minimum, and withdraw from treaties such as the Global Compact for Migration and the Paris Climate Accord that threaten our sovereignty.

Defund the CBC.

Reinstate a fair disability pension to our injured or disabled veterans.

Eliminate interprovincial trade barriers and the capital gains tax.

I could go on and on.

Canadians have a real choice in this election.

Vote for one of the establishment parties with the same policies.

Or vote for the smart populist, principled alternative with sound policies.

Bernier is leader of the Peoples Party

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Maxime Bernier: Choosing smart populism with the Peoples Party - Toronto Sun