Pierre Poilievre launched his Conservative election campaign, targeting Mark Carney and the Liberal government’s record. He advocated for a “Canada first” approach, promising economic strength to confront President Trump. Poilievre linked Carney to Trudeau, emphasizing priorities like reduced immigration and border security. As polls show a close race with the Liberals, Poilievre’s support in Quebec remains low. Current projections suggest the Liberals could win more seats than the Conservatives in the upcoming election.
Poilievre Kicks Off Election Campaign
On Sunday, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre launched his election campaign, taking a direct aim at Mark Carney and the federal Liberals’ record. Poilievre asserts that his government would be equipped to confront President Trump effectively.
Before Parliament was officially dissolved, Poilievre began his campaign in Gatineau, urging Canadians to prioritize “Canada first” after what he termed the “lost decades of the Liberals.” He promised to foster a “strong economy,” positioning his government to stand up to Trump from a place of strength.
Connecting Carney to Trudeau
From the outset, Poilievre sought to connect the new Liberal leader Mark Carney to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He reminded voters that Carney served as Trudeau’s “economic advisor” and pointed out that many of the same officials and ministers from the Liberal era are still in play, as they seek a fourth mandate.
Poilievre reiterated his party’s long-standing priorities, which include reducing immigration, bolstering border security, tackling crime, and supporting fossil fuels.
Canadian voters will head to the polls on April 28, following a 37-day campaign. During this period, discussions will inevitably be influenced by President Trump’s policies and actions, including his tariffs and threats of annexation. On the first day of the campaign, journalists questioned Poilievre about the similarities between his rhetoric and that of Trump.
While acknowledging these similarities, Poilievre emphasized that the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) aims to implement these policies for the benefit of Canadians. “When I advocate for lower taxes and bringing jobs back here, it’s for Canadians, not Americans,” he clarified.
He further explained that exploiting Canada’s natural resources and developing pipelines would disadvantage Trump while benefiting Canadians, as fossil fuels would be exported to Europe or Asia rather than the U.S.
Despite efforts to differentiate from their American counterpart, the conservatives’ slogan “Canada First” closely mirrors Trump’s “America First” approach to international trade.
Election Dynamics
The upcoming election presents an opportunity for the Conservatives to regain momentum. After initially leading in voter intentions against an unpopular Trudeau, Poilievre’s support has waned since Carney’s emergence on the political landscape. Recent polls indicate a tight race, with the Conservatives at 39% and the Liberals at 36%, according to an Abacus poll released on Sunday.
The New Democratic Party (NDP) lags significantly behind at 12%. In Quebec, the Liberals hold a slight edge with 37%, compared to the Bloc Québécois at 28%. Poilievre’s team faces challenges in appealing to Quebec voters, who currently show only 18% support for the Conservatives, while both the NDP and Greens sit at 7%.
As of now, polling aggregators like 338Canada project that the Liberals could secure 178 seats, while the Conservatives may capture 131. A majority government in Ottawa requires 170 seats.