Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has dismissed the recent meeting between Liberal ministers and grocery executives regarding the high cost of food as “more political theatre.” Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Sept. 17, Poilievre criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the significant increases in the prices of onions, cabbage, carrots, and lettuce. He questioned whether a meeting would actually reverse these price hikes.
Poilievre emphasized that the only way to combat food inflation is to address the policies that have contributed to it. He suggested capping spending, balancing the budget, eliminating the carbon tax to reduce the cost of heat, gas, and food. Additionally, he highlighted the rising cost of housing, stating that housing costs and rent have doubled. He expressed concern over the affordability of homes, with nine out of ten young people believing they will never be able to afford one.
The Conservative leader stated that housing costs are one of the top priorities for his party as the fall session of Parliament commenced on Sept. 18. He expressed the need to reverse the housing crisis caused by Trudeau and emphasized the importance of abolishing the federal carbon tax to ease the cost of living. Poilievre also addressed the issue of rising crime rates, emphasizing the importance of safe neighborhoods and appropriate treatment for those struggling with addiction.
Although the Conservatives are in opposition and have limited power, they continue to push the government on various issues and call for change. With the Liberals’ declining poll numbers, there are indications that the federal government is taking note of these concerns. Government House Leader Karina Gould announced on Sept. 18 that the Liberal priorities for the fall session are affordability and public safety, acknowledging the hardships faced by Canadians.
Poilievre criticized the government’s efforts to alleviate the housing crisis, citing the lack of results from the Housing Accelerator Fund. He called for actions, not photo-ops and excessive spending, emphasizing the need to build homes rather than bureaucratic processes. The Conservative leader proposed rewarding municipalities that meet their housing targets with increased funding and penalizing those that fall short. He aims to boost housing construction by 15 percent annually, ultimately doubling it in five years.
Overall, Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party remain focused on addressing the high cost of food, housing affordability, and rising crime rates. They are determined to hold the government accountable and advocate for policies that benefit Canadians.