Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre held a news conference in Ottawa today. He continued his sharp critique of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration. He addressed issues like government transparency, rising living costs, national security, and recent cases of antisemitism and violence in Canada.
Poilievre pointed to what he described as a “paralyzed” House of Commons, marking the seventh consecutive day of stalled legislative activity. He attributed the deadlock to Trudeau’s refusal to release documents related to a $400 million scandal involving numerous conflicts of interest. According to Poilievre, the scandal revolves around liberal appointees directing public funds to companies they were personally connected to, a matter he believes warrants police investigation.
“There must be something really damaging in all these documents Trudeau is covering up,” Poilievre stated. He argued that the government’s actions demonstrated a lack of accountability, which he framed as emblematic of what he described as the prime minister’s broader mismanagement. “After nine years of Justin Trudeau, everything is broken,” he said, reiterating his oft-used slogan that Trudeau’s leadership has led to widespread dysfunction in the country.
Shifting to the economic situation, Poilievre highlighted the increasing cost of living, particularly in housing and food. He emphasized the widening income gap between Canadians and Americans, stating that the average American now earns 50% more than the average Canadian—a disparity he claimed is the worst in Canadian history.
Poilievre was especially critical of the federal carbon tax, which he blamed for exacerbating the country’s economic woes. Citing data from food experts, Poilievre argued that Canada’s food price inflation has been 36% higher than that of the United States, in part due to the tax. He warned that the government’s plan to increase the carbon tax to 61 cents per liter would have severe consequences for the economy, likening it to a “nuclear winter.”
“If this quadrupling carbon tax goes ahead, factories won’t get their parts, grocery stores won’t get their food, and workers won’t get their paychecks,” Poilievre cautioned. He reiterated the Conservative Party’s stance on repealing the carbon tax, promising that his party would focus on lowering taxes, building homes, balancing the budget, and reducing crime.
Poilievre also addressed the rise of antisemitism and violence in Canada, referring to recent hate crimes and incidents of violence that have taken place in Canadian cities. He suggested that these problems were not solely the result of recent geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, but were rooted in what he characterized as Trudeau’s policies over the past nine years.
“After nine years of Trudeau’s ideology, his deliberate attempts to divide people into groups, we are seeing the consequences on our streets,” Poilievre said, linking the current rise in hate crimes to broader societal issues. He also criticized the government’s approach to handling terrorism, accusing it of being lax in preventing the entry of known terrorists into Canada.
Poilievre pointed to the organization Samidoun. He called for the immediate banning of it under Canadian anti-terrorism laws, accusing the group of inciting violence and glorifying the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023.
“Let’s bring home safety and security and peace to our streets,” Poilievre urged, adding that a Conservative government would take stronger action to prevent terrorist organizations from operating in Canada.
During the question period, Poilievre faced inquiries about his stance on Israel’s defense strategy, particularly concerning potential military actions against Iran’s nuclear sites. Poilievre reaffirmed his support for Israel’s right to defend itself, criticizing the idea of allowing a “genocidal theocratic dictatorship” in Iran to develop nuclear weapons.
In closing, Poilievre reiterated his broader themes of safety, security, and economic reform. He promised that a Conservative government would focus on unifying Canadians, addressing the country’s economic challenges, and ensuring that Canada remains a safe and prosperous nation.
“We need to bring back the country that we knew and still love,” Poilievre concluded.
With a federal election on the horizon, it remains to be seen how these issues will resonate with voters as the political landscape continues to evolve.