O’Toole suggests PPC votes will only boost Trudeau as Tories warn of right-wing split

Erin O’Toole delivered one of his last pitches to Canadians ahead of Monday’s vote while standing under the glaring Ontario sun — but a noted rise in support for the People’s Party of Canada may also have the Conservative leader feeling the heat.

O’Toole pushed his sharpest message yet to those angry about Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government who are considering casting a ballot for what he referred to as “smaller parties.”

Although he declined to name which of the main political parties he was talking about, he didn’t need to.

Political watchers, including Conservatives, have increased their warnings in recent days about splitting the vote on the right with Maxime Bernier’s populist PPC, which could sink the Tories’ chances of defeating the Liberals in a race that has been razor tight.

A Leger poll released earlier this week in collaboration with The Canadian Press indicated the Liberals and Conservatives are tied with the support of 32 per cent of decided voters and that the People’s Party was at five per cent support.

O’Toole noted the anger people feel toward the Liberal leader, which has been illustrated by the crowds of protesters who have followed him across the country during the campaign, swearing and chanting to “lock him up,” channelling their staunch opposition to vaccine mandates and other health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which Trudeau forcefully supports.

Some of those in the crowds have been PPC supporters, seen holding the party’s signs. The party booted one of their Ontario riding association president’s after allegations surfaced he threw gravel at Trudeau while he was there on a campaign stop.

The Conservative leader said Friday that Trudeau has addressed these protesters, “but there’s actually millions of Canadians who are very frustrated with Mr. Trudeau.”

“And if they allow that frustration to do anything other than vote Conservative, they’re voting for Mr. Trudeau,” O’Toole said at a campaign stop in London, Ont., where Bernier recently held a rally.

“There are five parties, there are two choices: More of the same with Mr. Trudeau, or real change and ethical government with a plan, with Canada’s Conservatives.”