Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre held a press conference on Parliament Hill today, delivering a scathing critique of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership while outlining his vision for Canada under a Conservative government. Poilievre framed his address around what he described as a “broken Canada”, citing issues ranging from economic struggles to border security failures.
Poilievre painted a bleak picture of Canada’s economic health, attributing rising living costs and diminished economic productivity to the government’s policies. “Everything is broken because he is a weak leader who has lost control,” Poilievre declared, citing doubled federal debt, skyrocketing housing costs, and increased reliance on food banks as evidence.
Poilievre specifically targeted the carbon tax, labeling it a “costly” measure responsible for driving up food prices. He argued that food inflation in Canada has outpaced that of the United States, claiming the tax exacerbates affordability challenges.
Poilievre criticized the government’s recent $6 billion tax rebate as a “two-month tax trick” aimed at political survival rather than providing meaningful economic relief. “This isn’t a tax cut,” he said. “It’s an inflationary measure that will only drive up the cost of living.”
Instead, he proposed eliminating the carbon tax and the sales tax on new homes to provide lasting relief. Poilievre emphasized that his tax policies would aim to “produce more of what cash buys” by fostering growth in housing, energy, and food production sectors.
Turning to border issues, Poilievre accused Trudeau of neglecting federal responsibilities, leading to “chaos at our borders.” He noted the dramatic increase in asylum claims during Trudeau’s tenure, from 10,000 to over 200,000 annually, as a symptom of failed policies.
He criticized the federal government for leaving provinces to fill the void, citing Quebec’s deployment of police and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s proposed use of drones to monitor borders. “Trudeau has so thoroughly broken the border that provinces are forced to hold it together with bubblegum, Scotch tape, and elastic bands,” Poilievre quipped.
Poilievre concluded his remarks with a call for change, promising “real, responsible leadership” from a government that prioritizes Canadian interests. He advocated for a “carbon tax election” to give voters a chance to reject Trudeau’s policies.
“We need a strong, smart prime minister who has the brains and backbone to put Canada first,” Poilievre asserted, positioning himself as the leader to rebuild what he described as a fractured nation.
The months ahead will reveal how Trudeau responds to these growing criticisms and whether his government can regain control of key issues like inflation, housing, and border management. Meanwhile, Poilievre’s rising momentum suggests a more competitive political environment, potentially reshaping the debate on Canada’s future direction.