Pierre Poilievre addressed supporters at a rally in Fredericton on Monday. The Canadian Press
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is facing criticism for comments about young people struggling to buy homes before their "biological clocks" run out. While he has made similar remarks before, this time, the backlash is stronger as he faces more scrutiny during the election campaign.
Opponents, including the Liberals and NDP, argue his language is outdated and offensive, especially to women dealing with fertility issues. Liberal candidate Yvan Baker called Poilievre's remarks "demeaning," while fellow candidate Julie Dzerowicz posted online that "our biological clocks are none of your business." NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also dismissed the statement, saying, "I don't think any woman wants to hear Pierre Poilievre talking about their body."
Poilievre's supporters, however, argue that the criticism is politically motivated. They insist he is simply addressing a real issue: the high cost of living preventing many couples from starting families when they want to. Conservative strategist Kate Harrison accused Poilievre’s critics of "twisting his words" and ignoring the struggles many young people face due to rising home prices.
Poilievre made the remark at a press conference while discussing his campaign’s focus on affordability. He stated he was standing up for "the 36-year-old couple whose biological clock is running out faster than they can afford to buy a home and have kids." He has made similar statements before, including at a rally last week and in a past interview with academic Jordan Peterson.
A spokesperson for Poilievre, Katy Merrifield, defended his remarks, saying, "Anyone trying to twist this into something controversial is ignoring the real challenge young couples face—delaying having kids because of skyrocketing costs caused by failed Liberal policies."
Polls suggest Poilievre struggles to connect with women voters, particularly younger ones. A recent survey found he has the support of just 27% of women aged 18 to 34, compared to 50% who favor the Liberals. Around 73% of younger women surveyed had an unfavorable opinion of him or weren’t familiar enough to form one.
Statistics show financial concerns are a major factor in family planning decisions. A 2022 report revealed that 38% of young adults aged 20 to 29 didn’t believe they could afford to have a child within the next three years, while 32% felt they lacked suitable housing for starting a family. Another study found many Canadian women are having fewer children than they actually want due to financial and housing challenges.
Political experts warn that discussing fertility can be risky. University of Calgary political science professor Melanee Thomas noted that fertility struggles are "deeply personal" for many women. "Using the issue of fertility as a political talking point can backfire," she said.
As election season heats up, Poilievre's comments continue to spark debate. His supporters say he is raising important issues, while critics argue he is out of touch with modern views on women's choices.
