Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is gearing up to introduce a range of policy initiatives aimed at addressing the uncertainties arising from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, as per a senior staff member. Poilievre is scheduled to present these proposals in a speech to business executives at the Economic Club of Canada in Toronto. The event, labeled as a “vision for Canada-U.S. relations” by the organization, will feature new policy ideas designed to be practical and targeted at enhancing Canada’s influence in an increasingly unstable global landscape.
According to Katy Merrifield, Poilievre’s communications chief, the speech will outline several key policies, including a strategy for energy and critical minerals, along with a suggestion for a new tariff-free automobile agreement with the U.S. Additionally, Poilievre will advocate for regulations necessitating companies relocating Canadian intellectual property abroad to reimburse any public funding they have received. He will also propose the establishment of a bipartisan working group ahead of the upcoming review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) this year.
The announcement comes at a time when the Conservative party is encountering challenges in recent polls. A survey by the Angus Reid Institute revealed that the Liberals hold a 13-point lead over the Conservatives in voting intentions. Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute, highlighted Poilievre’s struggles in aligning with Canadians on navigating the Trump administration, suggesting a gap in communication between the sentiments of Canadians towards Washington and Trump, and Poilievre’s responses to them.
While Poilievre secured a significant win at the Conservative party’s annual convention, maintaining 87% support to continue as leader, concerns persist regarding his approach towards countering the tariffs imposed by Trump on Canadian products. Former Conservative cabinet minister Jason Kenney praised Poilievre’s convention address but indicated that Poilievre could have taken a more direct stance against Trump.