Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is preparing to present new policy proposals aimed at addressing the challenges posed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. This significant announcement will take place in Toronto at the Economic Club of Canada on Thursday.
Key Details of Poilievre’s Upcoming Speech
Katy Merrifield, head of communications for Poilievre, revealed that the speech will outline a vision for Canada-U.S. relations. The focus will be on realistic policy measures intended to restore Canada’s position in a volatile geopolitical landscape.
Proposed Policies
- An energy and critical mineral strategy.
- A new tariff-free auto pact with the United States.
- New rules requiring companies that relocate Canadian intellectual property to repay taxpayer support.
- Formation of an all-party working group before the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) review.
These proposals are designed to strengthen Canada’s leverage in trade negotiations. Poilievre’s initiative comes amid discussions about potential tariff implications, as noted by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Current Political Context
The timing of this speech is critical. Recent polling data from the Angus Reid Institute indicates that the Conservative Party trails the governing Liberals by 13 percentage points. This situation underscores the challenges Poilievre faces in engaging Canadians effectively.
Challenges in Public Perception
Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute, commented on Poilievre’s struggle to connect with voters regarding his stance on the Trump administration. She noted a significant gap between public sentiment towards Washington and Poilievre’s responses.
Despite these challenges, Poilievre recently secured overwhelming support at the Conservative convention, receiving 87 percent backing to continue as leader. In his convention address, he highlighted the need to address the tariffs imposed by Trump on Canadian goods.
Former Conservative cabinet minister Jason Kenney remarked that while Poilievre’s speech resonated well with party members, there remains a need for a more direct approach towards confronting Trump.
