Pierre Poilievre’s attacks on the Bank of Canada and his pledge to fire the central bank governor if he is elected are hurting the credibility of the Conservatives, according to his own party.
“I think we’re losing credibility,” finance critic Ed Fast said in a scrum upon entering the party’s caucus on Wednesday.
Mr. Fast, who assured that he was not speaking as co-chair of Jean Charest’s campaign, but on behalf of the party, also said he was “deeply disturbed” by the fact that the leadership candidate is ready to “interfere” with the independence of the central bank.
“The independence of one of our main monetary institutions is essential and I would be very careful before touching this institution,” he said.
Last week, during the first official leadership debate, Pierre Poilievre, who is considered the leader, caused a stir by announcing that he would fire Governor Tiff Macklem because the rate of inflation in the country is reaching heights not seen in decades.
Again on Wednesday, Statistics Canada announced that its consumer price index had continued to rise in April, with inflation rising by 6.8% compared to a year ago. This was the strongest inflation since January 1991, when it was 6.9%.
The unease seemed palpable even within the ranks of candidate Poilievre.
Ontario MP Marilyn Gladu, who supports him and co-chairs his campaign in Ontario, declined to comment on whether showing Governor Macklem the door would be a good idea, simply noting that “in the heat of the moment, everyone has ideas”.
Is she concerned that an important figure in the party could harm the credibility of the political party?
” Nope. I don’t think so, she replied. In fact, the more excited and pissed off the liberal media is about Pierre Poilievre, the more I know they worry that he is out to win. »
Pierre Poilievre’s comments prompted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to defend the independence of the Bank of Canada the next day.
The institution is “highly renowned internationally”, he insisted, praising its “rigor”, its “professionalism” and its “independence from political machinations”.