Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre held a press conference in Kitchener, Ontario, to shed light on the pressing issue of rising living costs and the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the federal ArriveCan app. Poilievre addressed various concerns, including the government’s decision to impose a temporary cap on international student visas and his stance on transgender rights.
After eight years under Justin Trudeau’s leadership, Poilievre highlighted the alarming surge in housing costs across Canada. He emphasized that average rents and mortgage payments have more than doubled, making homeownership increasingly unattainable for many Canadians. Poilievre attributed this to Trudeau’s inflationary policies, which he claims have inflated the cost of living by printing $600 billion in cash, resulting in skyrocketing interest rates and financial hardship for citizens.
Furthermore, Poilievre criticized the collaboration between Trudeau and the NDP, particularly in British Columbia, for exacerbating housing market issues. He pointed out Vancouver’s soaring housing prices, making it the third most expensive market globally, as evidence of their failed policies. Poilievre accused the government of hindering construction through excessive bureaucracy and taxes, benefiting wealthy land speculators while stifling homeownership opportunities for working-class individuals and immigrants.
Transitioning to immigration concerns, Poilievre condemned the current state of the immigration system, asserting that it is overwhelmed and mismanaged. He emphasized the need for stringent regulations to ensure that international students have legitimate educational pursuits, sufficient financial support, and proper housing arrangements during their stay in Canada.
Regarding transgender rights, Poilievre expressed support for maintaining female-only spaces, such as sports, change rooms, and bathrooms. While acknowledging the complexity of the issue, he asserted that biological males should not be allowed to infringe upon these spaces, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the safety and privacy of women and girls.
Addressing questions about online hate speech legislation, Poilievre vehemently opposed Justin Trudeau’s proposed measures, denouncing them as an attack on freedom of expression. He criticized Trudeau for allegedly labeling any dissenting views as hate speech, warning against the authoritarian implications of such legislation.
In light of the ongoing controversy surrounding the ArriveCan app, Poilievre demanded transparency regarding the allocation of funds and called for accountability from implicated public servants and contractors. He vowed to pursue thorough investigations to uncover any potential mismanagement or corruption.
In conclusion, Poilievre reiterated the Conservative Party’s commitment to addressing pressing issues such as housing affordability, immigration reform, transgender rights, and freedom of expression. He pledged to enact policies aimed at alleviating financial burdens, safeguarding women’s spaces, and ensuring accountability in government expenditures.
The press conference concluded with Poilievre fielding questions from journalists, demonstrating his readiness to engage with the public and address their concerns directly.