Photo: Christine Muschi The Canadian Press During his rally Wednesday evening, Pierre Poilievre contrasted “wackonomics” with “common sense economics.”
Alex Fontaine
Posted at 10:06 p.m. Updated at 10:30 p.m.
- Canada
It was hot in Grover Auditorium on Wednesday evening in Montreal, and it wasn't because of the heatwave. The leader of the Conservative Party of Canada (PCC), Pierre Poilievre, delivered a speech in front of hundreds of excited supporters… and a handful of protesters.
Pierre Poilievre especially led a full charge against Justin Trudeau, whom he accuses of promoting an “extreme” and “radical” ideology in order to divide Canadians so that they “forget their difficulties”.
< p>Crime, “chaos”, “disorder”: “everything is broken” in Canada, according to Mr. Poilievre. He accessed a large part of his speech on the economy, saying he wanted to make life easier for entrepreneurs and cut taxes.
He also opposed “the crazy economy » (“wackonomics “) – liberal economic policies that he considers too wasteful and ineffective – to the economy of “common sense”, which would consist, among other things, of finding a dollar of savings for each new dollar of spending.
The housing crisis, a favorite theme of the conservatives, was highlighted. The PCC would spare no effort to alleviate the shortage, according to Mr. Poilievre, in particular by selling land and government buildings into housing units. “It warms my heart to think of the families who will [move] to their new home in the former CBC headquarters,” he said in English only, a nod to his promise to reduce funding to the state corporation.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000He also attacked the mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, whom he called “as incompetent as Justin Trudeau” since she is slowing down the construction of housing due to too much bureaucracy, in his opinion. He made a similar speech about him last winter. Ms. Plante was also heavily booed by the crowd.
Oberman candidate in Mont-Royal
Located a stone's throw from the Holocaust Museum, in the Mont-Royal borough, the choice of the gathering place was not insignificant. The riding is made up of a large Jewish population and is currently represented by Liberal MP Anthony Housefather.
The latter had considered turning his back on the Liberals at the end of March after the adoption of a motion in parliament that called on the government to work “toward the establishment of the State of Palestine as part of a negotiated two-state solution.” He changed his mind a few weeks later.
It is lawyer Neil Oberman who will try to get elected in the constituency in the next elections. This spring, Mr. Oberman represented two McGill University students in Superior Court in Montreal to seek an injunction prohibiting pro-Palestinian groups from demonstrating near university buildings.
“[Justin Trudeau’s] radical agenda is creating crime, chaos and disorder in our communities,” the aspiring candidate said at the start of the rally in a speech primarily in English. He also took direct aim at Mr. Housefather, saying he is helping to keep in power “the most anti-Israel prime minister Canada has ever seen.”
The Conservative leader's wife, Anaida Poilievre, then addressed the crowd, recalling her parents' immigration journey. Montreal, “this is my home,” she said in impeccable French alongside her two children.
Supporters conquered and brews comrade
Does the palpable enthusiasm of the room suggest a conservative breakthrough in Montreal during the next federal elections ? “I hope, but I’m not sure,” says 23-year-old activist Charles Pearson. Nevertheless, he believes in the leadership qualities of Pierre Poilievre and his message of sound management of public finances.
“I was very impressed by his speech,” said Pearl Zaritsky Cooper, once a Liberal supporter who switched to the Conservatives during the Stephen Harper era. “I find him open and honest,” says the Côte-Saint-Luc resident. I believe it will really improve the quality of life of Canadians. »
Not everyone was so receptive to Mr. Poilievre's words. On at least three occasions, protesters attempted to interrupt his speech by chanting words — buried by the crowd — and attempting to unveil signs and a banner. The Conservative leader continued his speech without flinching and the individuals were escorted in a muscular manner towards the exit, to the jeers of the crowd.