Tony Clement takes aim at bridge tolls, CBC in bid to become leader

Tony Clement has a clear stance on continued annual funding to theCBC, especially its television programming it would "go the way of the Dodo bird."

That was one of the topics Clement discussed during his visit to Prince Edward Island on Friday withCBC News: Compasshost BruceRainnie.

"I would want to liberate the taxpayers from the yearly [$1.1-billion] contribution to the coffers of the CBC," said Clement, a candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada leadership.

Clement, a former Ontario MPP and now MP for the riding ofParry Sound-Muskoka,called the annual funding a "leg up" against other content providers.

Relationship with Atlantic Canada

Clement also discussed the party's relationship with Atlantic Canadians.

"It's very clear to me that we kind of lost that relationship with Atlantic Canada and that people in Atlantic Canada didn't see us as the ones defending the way of life here and the path to a better future," he said.

Clement added that with issuessuch as the unemployment rate, Supreme Court Justice representation or lobster measurements "all of the sudden, it's the Liberals who are not standing up for Atlantic Canada."

In these issues, Clement sees an opportunity to re-engage with Atlantic Canadians on how the partyplans to expand the economy, grow jobs and "be in your corner better."

Bridge tolls, Canada Post

Clement was critical of the Liberals' stance ontolls onConfederation Bridge, while the new Champlain Bridge in Montreal could have no tolls.He said the same standard should apply to both.

With respect to Canada Post, he said the Crown corporationhas to continue to modernize and keep costs in line with taxpayers' expectations.Privatizing the Crown corporation wasn't realistic given the pension liabilities, he said.

Stephen Harper

Clement also commented onformer prime minister Stephen Harper's resignationas a Member of Parliament. The departure comes after he resigned as leader of the party, after losing power in the fall election.

Clement said Harper showed that the party could be comfortable in power and be good managers of the country and the economy.

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