Today, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre heavily criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s handling of various national issues, ranging from housing inflation and economic performance to drug policy and public safety. Speaking before a gathering in Montreal, Poilievre vowed to close supervised consumption sites, which he referred to as “drug dens,” if elected prime minister. He painted a grim picture of Canada highlighting increased housing costs, rising poverty, and escalating crime rates as key failures of the current government.
Poilievre opened his speech by criticizing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s handling of the economy and housing market. He cited statistics to highlight the rising cost of living, including rent and mortgage payments, which he claimed have doubled in recent years. “Everything costs more, work doesn’t pay, you make it, Trudeau takes it,” Poilievre stated, emphasizing the financial strain on Canadian families. He noted that in Montreal, the cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment has increased from $700 to $2,200 over the past nine years.
The Conservative leader also pointed to broader economic issues, such as the shrinking GDP and the exodus of investment to the United States. “Our money is leaving, half a trillion dollars of our investment has left to escape Trudeau taxes and red tape,” Poilievre remarked. He criticized the slow pace of building permits, attributing it to “incompetent mayors” who, he claimed, block home building and drive up homelessness.
A significant portion of Poilievre’s speech focused on the issue of supervised consumption sites, which he repeatedly referred to as “drug dens.” He criticized the federal government’s support for these sites, arguing that they contribute to increased crime and drug abuse in communities. Poilievre highlighted a specific site in Montreal, located near an elementary school and a park, which he claimed has led to a rise in indecent acts and drug-related activities in the area.
“Children, parents have raised the alarm about this disaster, saying their children are afraid to go to school,” Poilievre said. He accused the government of ignoring the concerns of residents and pushing a “radical liberalization experiment” that has failed to address the root causes of drug addiction and homelessness.
If elected prime minister, Poilievre pledged to close supervised consumption sites located near schools and playgrounds, arguing that they pose a danger to public safety. He criticized the terminology used by the media and government officials, insisting that these facilities should not be referred to as “safe injection sites.” “They are drug dens and they’ve made everything worse everywhere they’ve been done,” he asserted.
Poilievre proposed reallocating funds from supervised consumption sites to treatment and recovery services, aiming to break the cycle of drug dependence and help individuals achieve long-term sobriety. “Every single penny will go to treatment and recovery services to bring our loved ones home drug-free,” he promised.
As the federal election approaches, this issue is likely to remain a contentious and polarizing topic among Canadian voters.