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
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.