Poilievre addressed his supporters at a rally in London, Ontario, on Sunday. During his speech, he brought up Mark Carney, the newly elected Liberal leader, multiple times. CBC
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre held a major rally in London, Ontario, on Sunday, drawing hundreds of supporters to RBC Place. Despite recent dips in polling, his followers remained confident in his chances for the next federal election.
The event, called "Bring It Home," was Poilievre's first rally in the city since late 2023. A long line of supporters wrapped around the venue, eager to hear him speak. The rally took place as the Conservative Party’s lead over the Liberals has narrowed. This shift followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to office and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation announcement.
Supporters Remain Confident
Despite the changing political landscape, Poilievre’s backers were unfazed. London resident Jordon Chortos said he believes in the democratic process. "I'm hoping it's a guarantee. But if we lose, we lose. That's part of democracy," he said. He added that the Liberal Party should understand that power lies in the hands of voters.
Poilievre’s wife, Anaida Poilievre, introduced him on stage after Conservative candidate Andrew Lawton spoke to the crowd.
Carney Becomes Poilievre’s New Opponent
Hours after the rally, the Liberals announced Mark Carney as their new leader. This makes him Poilievre’s main rival in the next election. Trudeau will remain prime minister until he officially steps down. It is unclear whether Carney will call an election immediately or wait until Parliament resumes on March 24.
Poilievre repeatedly mentioned Carney in his speech, referring to him as "Carbon Tax Carney." He accused Carney of misleading the public about his promise to remove the tax. Without providing evidence, Poilievre claimed Carney would secretly plan a larger carbon tax if elected.
"Careful everybody, because sneaky Mark Carney's going to try and pull a fast one on you," Poilievre said. He suggested Carney might pause the carbon tax before the election, only to introduce a bigger one later.
Poilievre also accused Carney of having financial interests that could harm Canadian jobs. He vowed to put Canada first, support the working class, and revive the resource sector. He also promised to tackle crime and drug issues.
Call for an Early Election
Outside the rally, many supporters called for an immediate election. "Sooner the better," said Robert Wood, who attended with his wife, Joyce Wood. Some felt Carney's only real competition was Ruby Dhalla, who was recently removed from the Liberal leadership race due to alleged violations. Dhalla has denied the claims, calling them false.
London resident Jennifer Stoskopf said Canada needs strong leadership to counter Trump’s aggressive trade policies. Some protesters gathered across the street, holding signs comparing Poilievre to Trump. Stoskopf dismissed these comparisons. "God bless this country that we can have protesters and counter-protesters. That’s the great thing about Canada, free speech," she said.
Will Rogers, a local student, believed an election should wait a month or two. "I'd like to see what the Liberals have to offer with their new leader," he said. Rogers also wanted to learn more about Poilievre’s plans for trade and housing.
With Carney now leading the Liberals, the next federal election is shaping up to be a fierce battle between the two leaders.
