The Liberal MP, who invited the Conservative MP onto his podcast, said he was surprised that the Conservative MP claimed he felt “ambitious” by being questioned about his known long-standing position against abortion.
But Nate Erskine-Smith said he wasn’t all that surprised Conservative Leader Pierre Poirierbre is distancing himself from Alberta MP Arnold Feersen’s comments.
“I think that kind of thinking is anathema to most Canadians if he wants to win the election,” he told reporters Wednesday.
During her appearance on Erskine-Smith’s podcast, Feersen shared socially conservative views on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage, and said she would vote against them if given the opportunity.
“I hope that the day will come when abortion is unthinkable,” Viersen told Erskine-Smith, highlighting his position as a conservative in the party and also voicing his opposition to the legalisation of marijuana.
But at the start of the programme, Ms Erskine-Smith read out a letter she received from Ms Viersen after the interview, in which she said she felt “blindsided” by the questions.
After the episode was made public, Poirievre released a statement through his office saying Viersen’s comments did not reflect his or his party’s views on abortion or same-sex marriage, and that a future Conservative government would not address these issues.
“Our party policy document adopted by our members has stated for many years that ‘a Conservative government will not support any legislation restricting abortion,'” the statement said.
“I will lead a small government that can focus on its jobs and empower people to make their own decisions about their relationships, their families, their bodies, their voices, their beliefs and their money,” Poirierbre’s statement continued, adding that marijuana would remain legal.
Viersen issued his own statement saying his views were his own and did not reflect the position of Poirievre or his party.
Poirievre met with party members on Wednesday for the first time since the issue emerged, giving lawmakers the opportunity to discuss the matter directly and behind closed doors.
Since taking over as leader, Poirievre has tried to keep the Conservative party firmly focused on the issues that are key to winning the next election: the economy, housing and the cost of living.
But Ms Viersen continues to speak out on the abortion issue, and was the only Conservative MP to take part in the annual anti-abortion rally, the March for Life, held on Parliament Hill last month.
Speaking to reporters before her caucus, Erskine-Smith said she was surprised by the sentiment in Viersen’s letter, given the amount of advocacy work she has done for what she calls the “unborn.”
Rep. Feersen’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The congressman has not appeared in person on the House floor since his podcast appearance and has not been seen participating in caucus meetings.
