Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has expressed concerns for the safety of his family amid rising worries about political violence in both the United States and Canada following the tragic shooting of an American right-wing activist. Poilievre revealed that due to serious threats, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) deemed it necessary to provide protection for him and his family for an extended period.
In an interview with CBC’s The House, Poilievre emphasized the importance of all high-ranking Canadian politicians receiving security measures if deemed at risk by the RCMP. This call for protection comes in the wake of the arrest of Tyler Robinson, 22, on suspicion of capital murder and other charges related to the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at a university in Orem, Utah, on September 10.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a Republican, disclosed that the suspect had exhibited increased political involvement and opposition to Kirk’s viewpoints. The motive behind the shooting remains undisclosed, but the incident prompted widespread condemnation of political violence from leaders like Prime Minister Mark Carney and Poilievre.
Poilievre stressed the significance of maintaining open dialogue and respecting differing opinions in a democratic society. He denounced the assassination of Kirk as an attempt to stifle dissent and emphasized the need to uphold democratic values.
Regarding major projects, Carney recently announced a list of initiatives to kickstart development across various sectors. However, Poilievre criticized the government’s handling of these projects, citing delays and lack of progress in key infrastructure ventures.
In terms of environmental policies, Poilievre advocated for the development of natural gas liquefaction plants to reduce global emissions and criticized the Liberal government for hindering environmental progress. He highlighted the need for Canada to meet emission targets while promoting clean energy solutions.
Additionally, Poilievre called for the elimination of the temporary foreign worker program, attributing job losses to its impact on the labor market. He emphasized the need to prioritize Canadian workers and improve job opportunities domestically.
Despite challenges and disagreements on various policy issues, Poilievre remains committed to advocating for the interests of Canadians and ensuring a robust economy with opportunities for all citizens.