Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that he will be stepping down as the leader of the Liberal Party. The upcoming successor will face Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party, who currently holds nearly three times the support of committed voters compared to the Liberals in this year's general election.
Poilievre, a 45-year-old Calgary-born politician, was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and became the leader of the Canadian Conservatives in 2022. He has seen a rise in popularity for his party as Canadians have grown weary of Trudeau's governance since 2015.
The Conservatives have focused on the theme of 'Bring home the Canadian dream,' with Poilievre criticizing the Liberals for governing with what he describes as 'extremely radical ideology' akin to 'authoritarian socialism.'
Poilievre has been vocal about his opposition to what he calls 'horrendous, utopian wokeism,' stating that it caters to 'egotistical personalities' rather than the common people.
While comparisons have been drawn between Poilievre's populist messaging and former U.S. President Donald Trump's approach, the Conservative leader has emphasized that Canada will never become the 51st state of the U.S.
Poilievre has outlined his plans for a Conservative government, including accelerating approvals for energy infrastructure projects, cracking down on crime, renegotiating agreements with the U.S., and recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
In response to Trudeau's resignation, Poilievre stated that a Conservative government would prioritize border control, immigration, spending, crime reduction, and national security.
The Conservative Party under Poilievre's leadership aims to secure borders, strengthen the military, restore freedom, and prioritize Canadian interests.
