Poilievre’s Timmins town hall disses Trudeau, criticizes assault rifle ban, carbon tax
Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre ended his visit to Timmins on Wednesday with what was billed as a town hall, speaking to dozens of people at the Senator Hotel.
The leader of Canada’s official opposition criticized the Trudeau government’s assault rifle ban -- which includes some hunting rifles – and expressed his distaste for the federal carbon tax and the way the opioid crisis is being tackled.
Poilievre began his talk by taking jabs at New Democrat Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus.
“This is my third time in Timmins in less than 12 months,” Poilievre told the crowd.
“In fact, I’m told that I’m seen more in Timmins than your local MP, Charlie Angus.”
He also accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of sewing division and fear amongst Canadians as a way to score political points and votes.
Honing in on his campaign slogan of “turning hurt into hope,” Poilievre highlighted the importance of funding treatments and medicine to tackle the opioid crisis, as well as going after pharmaceutical companies for their role in promoting opioid prescriptions.
Building a self-reliant country was also a sticking point, consisting of producing critical minerals domestically, rather than importing them from China, in order to increase domestic production of batteries for electric vehicles.
Poilievre did comment on how difficult it is for people living in areas like northern Ontario to travel in EVs, as well as the high price of gas to run traditional vehicles and of natural gas to heat people’s homes.
He blamed that on the federal carbon tax.
“This energy, this is not a choice, it’s a reality,” Poilievre said.
“You have big space to heat, long distances to travel. Industries that require energy, in order to operate and produce paycheques. It’s not a matter of polluting the Earth, it’s a necessity to live your life.”
The politician’s words resonated with many in the crowd, soliciting cheers, groans and laughs, as Poilievre made his case for being the next prime minister.
He’s looking ahead to an election being called any time between now and 2025, amid a Liberal minority government.
One attendee said he initially disliked Poilievre, but eventually took a liking to his politics.
“I’ve been a long-standing Liberal, my father was Member of Parliament here (in Timmins) for 11 years, in the Liberal government, with Trudeau Sr.,” said Jean Roy.
“For the first time in my life, I’ll be voting for … the Conservative Party.”
Being a prospector and needing hunting rifles to stay safe from wild animals in the bush, Roy said Poilievre’s views on the assault rifle ban was one of the sticking points for him, as well as the carbon tax.
“I’m just tired of the non-decision making at the time that it counts,” said Roy.
“For example, the convoy. Liberal government should have jumped on that the first day and said, ‘this is the score and you guys are out of here.’ Would have saved the country a lot of trouble.”
Poilievre concluded his talk by saying he wants to run the country to look out for “the common people,” who he said have historically risen up to power.
“You — the people who do the work, who work hard, pay your taxes and play by the rules — you’re in charge of this country and that’s the way it’s going to be when I’m prime minister,” he said.
Poilievre stuck around the venue to take photos with supporters.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.