Today, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre held a press conference in Winnipeg. During the conference, Poilievre addressed various issues, emphasizing the need for common-sense solutions and criticizing the policies of the current government, particularly under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Poilievre began by asserting that after eight years, Justin Trudeau is not worth the cost Canada is bearing. He criticized Trudeau’s economic policies, citing 40-year highs in inflation, a doubled national debt, and the printing of $600 billion, leading to increased prices across the board.
Highlighting the impact on citizens, Poilievre pointed to the carbon tax affecting gas, heat, and groceries. He criticized Winnipeg Liberal MPs for voting against a motion to exempt home heating from carbon taxes, emphasizing the additional burden on Winnipeg residents.
The Conservative leader expressed concerns about Trudeau’s plan to quadruple the carbon tax and increase taxes on heat, making everything more expensive, including groceries. Poilievre claimed that Trudeau’s policies are contributing to homelessness and a surge in crime, blaming lenient bail conditions for repeat violent offenders.
In a significant announcement, Poilievre raised national security concerns, stating that 700 Iranian-backed IRGC terrorists are reportedly roaming Canadian streets. He pledged that a Common Sense Conservative government would ban the IRGC, making the country safer.
Switching focus to media and freedom of expression, Poilievre criticized Trudeau’s approach to influencing journalists through financial incentives and regulatory power. He promised to repeal censorship laws, ensuring freedom of the press and preventing the use of tax dollars to manipulate news coverage.
In response to a question about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Poilievre criticized what he termed as Justin Trudeau’s double-speak strategy. He alleged that Trudeau sends different messages to different voter groups, with one group claiming support for labeling Israel as genocidal and another group expressing opposition. Poilievre committed to taking a clear stand based on moral clarity and accused Trudeau of shamelessly attacking the Jewish people and the Jewish State while attempting to appease different sides of the debate.
Furthermore, Poilievre addressed the allegations of genocide targeting Muslims in China. He found it incredible that certain countries had not accused Hamas of genocide when it’s in their charter, while simultaneously neglecting to bring a case against China for its persecution of Uighur Muslims. Poilievre questioned the sincerity of these accusations, suggesting that the focus on Israel was not about genocide but rather a dishonest and biased attack on the Jewish people. He emphasized that the Conservative Party stands against this approach.
In response to a question about media control, Poilievre asserted his commitment to freedom of the press. He highlighted the need to repeal the censorship law, specifically targeting the ability of CRTC bureaucrats to manipulate social media algorithms secretly. By doing so, he aims to eliminate a form of censorship that, in his words, exists nowhere in the democratic world. He expressed his intention to stop arresting journalists and ensure that government funding doesn’t compromise editorial independence, emphasizing the restoration of confidence in the Canadian news media.
Moving on to a query about Canada’s involvement in the Yemen conflict, Poilievre offered a clear endorsement of the strikes. He argued that the Houthi Rebels, acting as an Iranian proxy, posed a threat to international security, disrupting trade routes and endangering Allied forces. In connection to this, he reiterated the Conservative government’s plan to ban the IRGC, underlining the commitment to safeguarding Canadians against potential risks.
When asked about the impact of immigration on housing prices, Poilievre shifted blame to Justin Trudeau’s housing policies. He singled out Shan Frasier, the promoted housing minister, and accused him of contributing to soaring housing costs. The Conservative leader emphasized the need for a clear link between immigration and housing, stating that his government would adopt an approach that aligns the number of homes built with the number of people invited as new Canadians.
Regarding the sensitive issue of searching landfills for missing Indigenous women, Poilievre expressed a commitment to making every effort to find their remains and protect Indigenous women from future violence. He broadened the response by advocating for criminal justice reforms that ensure safety for First Nations and Indigenous people, aligning with the broader goal of preventing such tragedies from occurring in the future.
The press conference concluded with Poilievre expressing hope for a year of common sense in 2024 and outlining key policy areas, including tax reduction, affordable housing, and enhanced security measures.