Bernier promotes immigration limits in B.C. on first western swing of campaign

SURREY, B.C. – People’s Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier began a speech in Surrey, B.C., with protesters yelling “PPC, shut it down!” outside a hotel ballroom where he was speaking.

Security officers barred a door before about a dozen protesters dispersed, some with signs in support of immigrants and refugees.

Much of Bernier’s speech at a Surrey Board of Trade event focused on his proposed immigration policies, which he said require a “discussion”‘ in Canada.

He said he wants especially to discuss immigration issues with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, at two leaders’ debates next month.

Bernier said he’s against “mass immigration” but is not anti-immigrant and believes Canada should accept “real refugees,” not those trying to enter Quebec and other parts of the country without crossing official borders.

He says he’d like a fence erected in a part of Quebec where thousands of refugees have entered, with RCMP officers guarding it.