OTTAWA (LifeSiteNews) – Canadian Conservative Party (CPC) MP Leslyn Lewis said when talking with people about controversial issues such as abortion, even those who may shy away from “pro-life” issues in general do support the “common-sense,” life-affirming policies she has supported.
“I have always had a lot of success finding areas where we can agree on. Even on controversial issues, I have always been able to find areas of agreement and unity,” Lewis said to LifeSiteNews.
“For example, many people who shy away at the words ‘pro-life’ are very supportive when they see the common-sense life policies I’ve put forward on supporting pregnancy care centres and banning sex-selective abortions.”
Lewis, who is running for CPC party leadership, told LifeSiteNews that should she become party leader and once day Prime Minister, she can bring “unity” to the divisions.
“The most important thing is to listen, really listen, to people who think they are on opposite sides from each other. Often the divisions are not nearly as big as people have made them to be in their heads,” Lewis said.
“Social issues, health issues, environmental issues, it always goes back to having a real dialogue. Whether in politics or business, I have had tremendous success leading by listening.”
Lewis also told LifeSiteNews that even when you might “disagree” with someone, “you can win them over if you listen first and understand where they are coming from. It’s the only way to have productive dialogue.”
Lewis announced a few weeks ago that she will run for leader of the CPC. The CPC will hold its leadership vote on September 10. Thus far, there are multiple candidates who have put forth their names in the race.
Campaign Life Coalition gives Lewis a “green light” rating as a “supportable” pro-life candidate for her strong voting record in favor of life.
Last fall, she along with two other CPC MPs spoke at a CLC rally titled Save Our Charities.
At the rally, Lewis along with two other CPC MPs called out pro-abortion Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for promising to strip pregnancy resource centers of their charitable status, because they choose and promote life instead of abortion.
Lewis recently said that if elected Prime Minister she will reinstate the Office of Religious Freedom to ensure Canada would once again be a “defender” of religious liberty.
Regrading her campaign for the CPC leadership, Lewis said that her job will be to put forward her “vision for Canada and for our party,” and she is not worried too much “about the other campaigns and all the different dynamics.”
“I trust the members of our party to see how the different candidates align and to make the best decision at the end of the race. Obviously, I hope that that decision is putting me number one on their ballot,” Lewis told LifeSiteNews.
“I am running because I believe I can be a voice of hope, unity, and compassion. We need leadership that truly listens to Canadians. We need a leader who can not only unite our party but all Canadians. We need to provide a hopeful vision for Canadians. I believe that I can be that kind of Conservative leader and eventually Prime Minister.”
Lewis had a strong showing in the 2020 CPC leadership race, garnering 25 percent of the vote. She came in first place in Saskatchewan in the first round, then fell off the ranked ballot on the second round despite having more votes than O’Toole.
In the 2021 federal election, Lewis ran in the riding of Haldimand-Norfolk and won 47.5 percent of the votes, beating Liberal Party candidate Karen Matthews, who received 27 percent.