By Canadian Press

Peter MacKay says he regrets how ‘stinking albatross’ comment was viewed

Mar 6, 2020 | 12:04 PM

REGINA — Conservative leadership candidate Peter MacKay says he regrets how some people interpreted his comment that current leader Andrew Scheer’s socially conservatives values were a “stinking albatross.”

MacKay made the remark after the last federal election in referring to how Scheer was dogged during the campaign by questions about same-sex marriage and abortion.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney referenced MacKay’s comment in an email this week where Kenney endorsed leadership candidate Erin O’Toole.

During a stop in Regina — Scheer’s hometown — MacKay acknowledged that his comment “might have been a little raw at the time.”

He said if Conservatives want to return to government, they’ve got to be honest with themselves and be more forward looking.

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MacKay says he believes he represents the values of conservatives in Alberta and Saskatchewan and is offering a more moderate centrist message than Scheer.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2020

The Canadian Press