5 things federal party leaders keep getting wrong

During the heat of an election campaign, it is not uncommon for political leaders to make mistakes when citing facts and figures. However, some leaders persist in repeating these inaccuracies, both on the debate stage and on the campaign trail. The CBC News fact-checking team has investigated some of the false claims that leaders have repeatedly made throughout this campaign.

**Bill C-69**

**The claim:** Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has stated on multiple occasions, including during the French and English debates, that Bill C-69 has blocked 16 projects and billions of dollars of investment.

**The facts:** While Bill C-69, which was passed in 2019, allowed the federal government to assess the impact of resource development projects on climate change, many of the projects Poilievre mentioned were canceled before the bill was enacted or were rejected by provincial governments. For instance, projects like the Dunkirk and Muskwa oilsands projects were scrapped in 2016. Additionally, the Northern Gateway pipeline was rejected by the federal cabinet in 2016, while the Energie Saguenay LNG project was turned down by the Quebec government in 2021 before being rejected by Ottawa the following year. Projects are evaluated based on the regulations in place when they were proposed, which in some cases occurred before Bill C-69 was implemented.

**2008 Financial Crisis**

**The claim:** Liberal Leader Mark Carney has boasted about his role as the governor of the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis, claiming that Canada avoided a recession under his leadership.

**The facts:** While Canada did fare better than the United States during the 2008-09 financial crisis, the country did experience a recession. Statistics Canada reported a decline in GDP for three consecutive quarters during that period. Carney himself acknowledged Canada’s recession in statements made in 2008 and 2009.

**Homes Created under Poilievre’s Watch**

**The claim:** NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has accused Pierre Poilievre of only building six homes during his tenure as housing minister in 2015.

**The facts:** While it is true that only six non-profit or community housing units were constructed under Poilievre’s leadership, partnerships with private companies resulted in the construction of additional non-profit and co-op homes. Statistics Canada data shows that most of the 195,535 homes built in Canada in 2015 were constructed by private entities.

**Pipelines**

**The claim:** Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet has criticized Mark Carney for allegedly making contradictory statements about pipelines in Quebec.

**The facts:** Carney’s stance on pipelines has evolved over time, but he did not explicitly state that he would force pipelines through Quebec against its will. He emphasized the need for federal government powers to accelerate infrastructure projects, including pipelines, while also stressing the importance of consulting with provinces and First Nations.

**Aluminum**

**The claim:** Blanchet has accused the Liberal government of failing to impose reciprocal tariffs on the U.S. for aluminum and neglecting to support workers in the aluminum industry.

**The facts:** The Canadian government has announced reciprocal tariffs on the U.S., but specific measures for Quebec’s aluminum industry have not been specified.

In conclusion, it is crucial for political leaders to accurately represent facts and figures to the public, especially during election campaigns. The CBC News fact-checking team plays a vital role in ensuring that misinformation is corrected and the public is informed.