Could this Libertarian be the Next Prime Minister of Canada?

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In Canada, there is a political swirl over a man named Maxime Bernier. So who is he?

Bernier is a Conservative Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) for Beauce in Quebec first elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2008 with the largest margin of victory of any Conservative who ran. He was Canada’s Minister of Industry, and later the Minister of Foreign Affairs under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. But why is he different than other Conservatives in Canada?

Brenier is turning heads because of his principles, which have been known to upset even those within his party at times. See, Quebec, where Brenier holds office, isn’t too keen on keeping government out of economics. In fact the PanamPost went as far as to say the Quebec “isn’t known for producing politicians who champion economic freedom.” And yet, Brenier has a knack for enlightening parliament on the teachings of economists such as Frederic Bastiat, and F. A. Hayek. He was what was called a conservative “penchant for a political philosophy that favors small government, lower taxes and more individual freedom,” by the PanamPost. “I don’t like the left-right distinction, I’m a politician who believes in individual liberty. If you ask me if we should have more or less state intervention in our lives, I’d say less,” said Bernier in a speech at the Conservative Futures event.

Even more excitingly, Bernier announced his bid for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada on April 7, 2016.