Jean Charest formally launches Conservative Party leadership bid from Calgary

Jean Charest, a former Quebec premier and federal cabinet minister, has formally announced he's running to be the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. 

Charest launched his bid — which has been anticipated for some time — at a brewery in Calgary Thursday night. It marks the first stop on a tour to kick off his campaign, dubbed "Built to Win." 

The returning politician spoke to the crowded room about the importance of unity, representing Canadians equally, natural resources and respecting provincial jurisdiction. 

Charest, 63, was the head of the now-defunct Progressive Conservative Party from 1993 to 1998 and was a federal cabinet minister prior to that. He was premier of Quebec from 2003 until 2012, elected under the province's Liberal party.

"I'm here in Alberta tonight because I want to make a point," he said, speaking about the need to restore unity to Canada. 

"If Canadians are not together around the same table this country is not going to meet its potential."

Charest told his supporters that the Conservative Party has a responsibility to help Canada meet that potential, but it has been distracted from that goal. 

"As I look at the party today, the party is fractured. And the party needs to look at itself and ask itself what is it that we represent, who is it that we represent." 

He appeared to direct his remarks to those who feel left out of the current federal government's policies, making several comments aimed directly at Alberta conservatives. 

Charest criticized the federal Liberal government for disrespecting provincial jurisdiction and reiterated his general support for pipelines. He also called for the repeal of federal environmental and energy laws, namely C-48 and C-69 — the oil tanker ban off the northern coast of British Columbia and the legislation that changed the environmental assessment process for energy projects, respectively.

Charest said he disagreed with the carbon tax increase planned for April 1. 

And while he said the role of Canada's resource sector is key to the country's economy, he also noted climate change must be addressed to show "we can walk and chew gum at the same time."

Charest is hosting a meet-and-greet in Calgary Friday morning as well. Former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole, who Charest is running to replace, also launched his leadership campaign in the city two years ago.

Some in the party are questioning how a former Quebec premier will play in Western Canada — and his opponent Pierre Poilievre, has been quick to accuse him of being too similar to the Liberals.