On Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Pierre Poilievre and Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed their caucus meetings, outlining their priorities.
Pierre Poilievre pointed out the Conservative Party’s expanding coalition, reaching union workers, young people, newcomers, and other groups that had not engaged with the party. Poilievre emphasized that while Conservatives narrowly missed forming government, they now had an important duty to fulfill the hopes of Canadians and bring about change.
“Our mission is clear: to build a Canada that is affordable, safe, self-reliant, and united,” Poilievre declared.
The Conservative leader outlined five key priorities for his party in the upcoming session:
- Lowering the cost of living – Poilievre called for a spring budget that addresses the true deficit, cuts spending, and tackles inflation and high taxes.
- Housing affordability – He proposed cutting taxes and reducing red tape to accelerate homebuilding, aiming to make homeownership more accessible.
- Economic independence – Poilievre argued that Canada must become less reliant on foreign trade and increase self-reliance by developing its resources and industries.
- Restoring safety in communities – He stressed the need for tougher laws to deal with repeat offenders, including stronger sentences and improved policing.
- Immigration control – Poilievre pledged to reform Canada’s immigration system, focusing on reducing numbers and improving integration to ensure that new arrivals contribute effectively to Canadian society.
In contrast, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s speech to the Liberal caucus focused on unity, progress, and the need to tackle the challenges Canadians face. Carney celebrated the Liberal Party’s recent successes, including the addition of 300,000 new members and securing a record number of votes in the last election.
“This is the room that helped us win a strong mandate at the most crucial time in our nation’s history,” Carney said, praising the work of the Liberal Party’s members.
Carney’s message was centered on a vision of transformation and renewal. He outlined the Liberal government’s focus on several key issues:
- Economic transformation – Carney highlighted the government’s focus on strengthening Canada’s economy to ensure it works for all Canadians.
- Affordability and safety – Carney promised immediate action to reduce the cost of living. He also highlighted plans to legislate a middle-class tax cut and implement a reduction in the GST for first-time homebuyers.
- National trade – The Prime Minister stressed the importance of breaking down trade barriers within Canada.
- Public safety – Carney outlined the government’s commitment to making Canadian communities safer, including tougher criminal justice reforms, particularly concerning crimes such as human trafficking and drug smuggling.
Contrasting Approaches, Shared Challenges
While leaders addressed similar issues, their approaches diverged. Poilievre emphasized fiscal responsibility, economic independence, and a tougher stance on crime, focusing on reducing government intervention. Carney, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of collaboration and bold action to transform Canada’s economy and strengthen its place on the global stage.