Voters in Elmwood—Transcona won’t just be electing a new MP in an upcoming byelection — they’ll be participating in a “mini carbon tax referendum.”
That’s how Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre referred to the election during a rally in Winnipeg Sunday.
Hundreds of people filled a conference room in the Canada Inns Club Regent Casino Hotel as the Tory leader promoted his party’s platform and encouraged attendees to vote for electrician Colin Reynolds, who is vying for the seat NDP Daniel Blaikie vacated earlier this year.
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks at an Axe The Tax rally at the Canada Inns Club Regent Casino Hotel on Sunday.
“He (Reynolds) understands that protecting our environment is about technology not taxes and that’s why job number one for Colin Reynolds and the common sense Conservatives will be to axe the tax,” Poilievre said.
It was one of the many times he took aim at carbon pricing, which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised by 23 per cent on April 1.
During his 45-minute speech, Poilievre promised to reign in government spending, create jobs for Canadians, make housing more affordable and be tougher on violent, repeat offenders — while defunding the CBC and opposing future vaccine mandates for COVID-19.
Lamenting the current state of Canada, Poilievre said that while it may take hard work to improve the country, he and his party can do it.
“The hardest roads lead to the best destinations and we have the best destination in store,” he said.
Poilievre’s Winnipeg appearance comes at a time when data suggests his party is more popular than Trudeau’s Liberal party.
Data from polling firm Leger shows the Conservative party is 14 points ahead of the Liberals.
A web survey about federal voting intentions Leger conducted June 21-23 revealed that if a federal election were to be held today, 41 per cent of Canadians would vote Conservative while 27 per cent would vote Liberal. The Liberals experienced a four-point increase in June.
Nearly two-thirds of Canadians (65 per cent) are dissatisfied with Trudeau’s government, compared to almost one-third (29 per cent) who are satisfied.
The next federal election must take place on or before Oct. 20, 2025.
Attendee Sheryl Gray said she isn’t happy with the current state of the country, especially rising inflation.
“The cost of food — that’s negatively impacted us,” said Gray, 37. “We’re a family of four so it adds up.”
She was impressed by Poilievre’s presentation and the crowd it drew.
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS
Poilievre greets one of hundreds of people that filled the conference room.
“It’s a nice way to see other people in our community come together and support Pierre,” she said.
Maurice Brisebois wanted to hear Poilievre speak because he’s become increasingly concerned about Trudeau’s leadership.
“The fact of the matter is people are starting to get disenchanted and starting to lose hope,” the 61-year-old said before Poilievre’s speech.
A federal byelection will be held on Sept. 16 in Elmwood—Transcona, the prime minister announced Sunday.
Blaikie resigned at the end of February to move back home and become Premier Wab Kinew’s adviser on intergovernmental issues. He filled the seat for eight-and-a-half years.
The riding is traditionally an NDP stronghold. Blaikie’s father, Bill Blaikie, held the riding from 2004 to 2008, followed by Jim Maloway from 2008 to 2011.
Conservative Lawrence Toet was elected in the 2011 election. Daniel Blaikie defeated him in the 2015 election by 61 votes.
Ian MacIntyre, a former teacher and president of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society, is running for the Liberals in the upcoming byelection.
Leila Dance, the executive director of the Transcona BIZ, will run for the NDP and Nic Geddert is running for the Green Party of Canada.
Aaron Epp
Reporter
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
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