Pierre Poilievre hosts ‘Canada First’ rally in Kingston

Conservative leader was met with resistance as community protested outside

Image by: Meghrig Milkon
The rally took place on April 2.

Pierre Poilievre’s “Canada First” campaign made a stop in Kingston this week.

While the April 2 rally drew over 3,000 ers, outside the venue at 1259 Centennial Dr., vocal protesters expressed strong opposition to the Opposition leader and the Conservative Party of Canada (C). Poilievre visited Kingston to garner for Mayor Bryan Paterson, the Kingston and the Islands Member of Parliament (MP) candidate in the federal election on April 28.

The “Canada First” campaign is Poilievre’s platform, promising a Conservative leadership that prioritizes Canada, cutting taxes, fostering provincial cooperation to reduce trade barriers, and reducing reliance on the American economy.

Poilievre was introduced by his wife, Anaida Poilievre, who spoke about his upbringing and criticized the current Liberal government’s failure to deliver the promise of Canadian prosperity.

“My family and I, truly understand what’s going on and that’s why we stand united in this fight. This is why I’m by my husband’s side every single day—I’m not just a prop guys,” she said. “Life wasn’t like that [referencing housing unaffordability] before [Justin] Trudeau and [Mark] Carney, and it doesn’t have to be this way, there’s hope on the way.”

While cheers of approval tore through the stadium, cries of disapproval echoed outside. Protestors held signs with phrases like, “Don’t get played: Pierre doesn’t care about you!” and chanted “Bigots are bad leaders.”

“Over the last two years, Poilievre has shown us [Canadians] who he really is. He’s trying to dial down on the rhetoric right now, but we know who he is and it’s just not for Canada,” Karen Shepard, a protestor, said in an interview with The Journal.

Several dozen protestors gathered outside.

Poilievre began his speech by telling the Kingston crowd they might be one of the largest rallies he’s seen yet, urging them to vote for Paterson to bring his “Canada First” plan to life.

“I need your help. If you believe that we need a change in putting Canada first, then I need you to elect the great Bryan Paterson as the next MP for Kingston,” Poilievre said.

Mayor Bryan Paterson made a speech at the rally.

Controversy surrounding Paterson and his past hip at Third Day Worship Centre has recently resurfaced on social media, as reported by The Whig. The Kingston church practiced conversion therapy until the practice was banned in 2021. Although Paterson distanced himself from the church in 2020, Ben Rodgers—who accused Paterson of involvement in his 2004 conversion therapy—renewed criticism, calling the practice “torture.”

In an interview with The Whig, Paterson stated his belief in the separation of church and state. He affirmed his for the 2SLGBTQ+ community at the time and denounced conversion therapy as “plain wrong.”

Continuing the rally on the same theme of “Canada First,” Poilievre spoke to economic challenges, criticizing Liberal leadership for eroding the “Canadian Promise” and vowed to rebuild Canada’s economic independence.

He argued the “Canadian Promise,” one where hard work guarantees a good life, has been ruined by Liberal leadership. He pledged to restore this promise by strengthening Canada’s economy and destroying its reliance on the United States.

“Canada must end its era of over-independence and weakness,” Poilievre told the crowd. “We must become an economic fortress that can defend itself. We will push hard to put an end to these tariffs with a fair deal that protects our sovereignty and knocks down all the tariffs and allows us to rebuild our military so we can be a true sovereign nation.”

READ MORE: Students brace for economic uncertainty amid tariff threats

In line with his “Canada First” theme, Poilievre outlined several policies he would implement if elected, including a 15 per cent cut to income taxes which he claims will save the average worker up to $1,800 annually. He also proposes “axing” the sales tax on new homes, saying it’ll save home buyers $65,000 on homes sold for up to $1.3 million.

Funding trades is another policy area on Poilievre’s agenda.

While Poilievre agreed that a university education is valuable, he argued for the need for more trade workers and promised training funding to 350,000 workers over five years as part of his “More boots, less suits” plan, aligning with his push for a more self-reliant Canadian economy.

Poilievre concluded the evening, emphasizing Canada needs to remain independent.

“Don’t give up hope, change is on the way. Under our proud flag, Canada first. Let’s bring it home.”

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Pierre Poilievre

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