Poilievre Vows to Double Down on Key Policies Despite US Tariff Threat

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre affirms that his party will steadfastly maintain its core policies in the face of U.S. tariff threats. He asserts that the Tories’ proposed initiatives, centered around tax reductions and support for energy projects, are now more pertinent than ever.

In a social media post on Feb. 18, Poilievre reiterates his stance on scrapping the federal carbon tax and capital gains tax hike, endorsing increased pipeline construction, abolishing Bill C-69, known as the ‘No More Pipelines Act,’ and advocating for the preservation of Canadian heritage.

President Donald Trump has threatened to levy 25 percent tariffs on all Canadian imports and 10 percent on energy due to border security concerns. Despite announcing a temporary halt to the tariffs on Feb. 3 for ongoing negotiations with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump has persisted in suggesting that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.

Poilievre’s statements build upon a speech he delivered on Feb. 15 in Ottawa, where he challenged media assertions suggesting a need to overhaul his platform in response to the tariff threat. Poilievre contends that Trump’s tariff warnings have only served to validate the Conservative stance on various issues.

Poilievre also accused the Liberals of tacitly acknowledging the correctness of his policies, noting that new Liberal leadership contenders are endorsing measures initially proposed by the Conservatives, such as canceling the capital gains tax hike and expanding domestic pipelines.

“Initially, the Liberals claimed, ‘Poilievre has no policies.’ Then they shifted to, ‘Alright, he does, but they are unsettling.’ And now they are voicing agreement with all my policies,” he remarked.

Poilievre has been vocal in his call for the federal government to eliminate the carbon tax, highlighting his “axe the tax” campaign as a cornerstone message. He argues that the tax escalates the cost of essential items, from groceries to fuel, and has repeatedly urged the Liberals to have a “carbon tax election.”

The leading Liberal leadership candidates have proposed scaling back or eradicating the carbon tax, with former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney suggesting a consumer carbon tax substitution with an incentive program and increased levies on major polluters. Former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland also expressed support for scrapping the carbon tax. Another leadership contender, Karina Gould, a former cabinet minister, pledged to halt the scheduled carbon tax increase in April.

During his rally, Poilievre spotlighted Canada’s reliance on imported oil due to insufficient pipelines for transporting energy across the nation, despite Canada ranking as the fourth-largest global oil supplier. He pledged to abolish Bill C-69, which mandates additional environmental assessments for pipeline construction, if his party assumes power.

Poilievre also advocated for “putting an end to cancel culture and halting the assault on our history” through measures like intensifying penalties for desecrating statues, reinstating the Canadian Navy’s anthem “Heart of Oak,” completing a monument honoring Canada’s Afghanistan veterans, and reintroducing Canadian historical figures like Terry Fox on the Canadian passport.