The leader of the Conservative Party is a communications genius.
He managed to convince a large part of the population that the carbon tax is one of the main factors that fuels inflation.
And that by abolishing it, the respite will be significant.
He even managed to convince Quebecers, who do not pay this carbon tax, that it costs them dearly!
Without irony, this is quite an achievement. Especially since according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, 8 out of 10 Canadians who pay this tax receive more in return from the government.
And that climate changes (drought, early frost, flooding) have much greater effects on harvests!
The tape
It is very effective!
I listened to it again this week in an interview. Its solutions to the housing crisis, the climate crisis, public finances in poor condition: the common sense.
He never deviates. The same tape.
When a politician is really tired of repeating himself, that’s when the public finally starts to hear him, says the adage in Ottawa.
Pierre Poilievre is the master. Even when Brian Mulroney died, he found a way to talk about his common sense.
He is doing well in Quebec too. On the Legault government’s demands to obtain more powers in immigration, he did not really get involved. On the targets, they will be linked to the construction of housing… but will they fall? Increase?
These will be policies based on common sense.
And like the common sense varies from one voter to another, it scores points!
A challenge ahead
Justin Trudeau is on edge, his government is very worn out.
Things have been stale in Ottawa for some time, but in recent weeks, the Liberal leader has shown that he still wants to fight!
Mr. Trudeau is counting on his plethora of pre-budget announcements to reframe the debate.
He wants to force Pierre Poilievre to decide on the choices he will make to rebalance his budget.
Already, we see that his common sense could result in austerity measures!
The challenge for the Conservative leader is enormous. The word austerity is scary. The mandate of Philippe Couillard is not very far in memory in Quebec.
Neither do Stephen Harper’s cuts to science and culture.
He can achieve the same feat with a balanced budget as he did with the carbon tax. That is to say, getting elected by promising to eliminate programs that appeal to a majority of voters.
There are a year and a half left before the next election.
Until then, interest rates have time to fall, we can already see inflation in Canada slowing down.
Voters will also begin to get used to the new programs: dental insurance, medications, daycare discounts, etc.
Priorities may also change. Climate change has time to become a major concern again.
If despite all that he were to win, it would be a masterstroke.