Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, Mark Carney’s rival for the prime ministerial position, began his first campaign as the party’s leader and said that the conservative government would take a “respectful and firm” approach to deal with US President Donald Trump.
Speaking in Gatineau, Que., about an hour before the election was officially called, Poilievre said he will insist that Trump respect Canada’s sovereignty and end the tariffs. A fresh set of US tariffs are set to come into effect on April 2, while the campaign is underway.
Poilievre blamed the Liberals for weakening Canada’s economy, hindering resource development, and compromising military and border security. He suggested these actions aligned with Trump’s desire for a vulnerable Canada, Toronto Star reported.
“All of that plays into the hands of President Trump,” he said. “He’s been very blunt that he wants a weak Canada that he can target, and the lost Liberal decade has made our economy weaker and more divided, just like Trump wanted.”
Despite efforts to separate himself from Republican politics, Poilievre faced complications when Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told Breitbart she had requested Trump delay tariffs until after the federal election, suggesting the trade dispute benefited Liberal polling numbers.
When questioned about Smith’s remarks, Poilievre redirected attention to Trump’s Fox News statement suggesting easier relations with Liberals.
Recent polls show the Conservatives’ substantial lead diminishing as Trump’s trade policies become a primary voter concern. Poilievre has adjusted his messaging, reducing emphasis on Canada’s problems while promoting national promise and opportunity.
His campaign promises include tax reductions, cost-of-living improvements, and crime reduction. He confirmed plans to eliminate the carbon tax and boost resource sector employment.
Who is Pierre Poilievre?
- Born in Alberta to a teenage mother, Poilievre was adopted by two educators who brought him up in Calgary’s suburbs.
- During his teenage years, he displayed keen political awareness and actively participated in conservative campaigning efforts.
- While studying international relations at the University of Calgary, Poilievre encountered Stockwell Day, a future cabinet minister in Stephen Harper’s Conservative government.
- During Day’s campaign for leadership of the Canadian Alliance, a conservative party with Alberta origins that later merged into today’s Conservative Party in 2003, he enlisted Poilievre to manage university outreach programmes.
- Following Day’s successful leadership bid, Poilievre accompanied him to Ottawa as his assistant. Later, during a winter evening, Poilievre sought Day’s counsel about his political aspirations.
- Subsequently, Poilievre secured a parliamentary seat in Ottawa in 2004, aged 25, becoming one of the Conservative Party’s youngest MPs. He continues to represent the constituency.
- His confrontational political approach has proven controversial, with critics accusing him of reducing complex issues to overly simple terms for political advantage.
- Despite Canadians being receptive to his alternative to Trudeau’s progressive policies, recent polling indicates nearly half the population views him unfavourably.
- Following Trudeau’s departure, Poilievre has needed to adjust his strategy in anticipation of potential competition from Carney.
