Poilievre says Liberal leadership aspirants are ‘just like Justin’

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been known for his direct targeting of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, even coining the term “Justinflation” to criticize his policies. However, with Trudeau’s unexpected resignation, the Conservative party is now preparing to face a new Liberal leader in the upcoming federal election.

In response to Trudeau’s resignation, Poilievre’s messaging has shifted towards potential Liberal leadership contenders, including Dominic Leblanc, Mark Carney, and Chrystia Freeland. The Conservatives are emphasizing that regardless of who the new Liberal leader is, they are “just like Justin” and will continue to highlight the failures of Trudeau’s administration.

Senior Conservative sources indicate that this messaging will be a key focus in the weeks leading up to the election. Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer echoed this sentiment, stating that all potential Liberal leaders have been associated with Trudeau’s unpopular policies.

The Conservatives have already begun targeting possible contenders such as Carney, labeling him as “carbon tax Carney” despite his previous stance on the carbon tax. Other potential candidates like Christy Clark and Chrystia Freeland have also been subject to criticism from the Conservative camp.

Despite the unexpected change in Liberal leadership, the Conservatives remain confident in their ability to campaign effectively. Former chief of staff Garry Keller highlighted the Conservatives’ eagerness to run against Trudeau due to his declining popularity. The party aims to highlight the connections between potential Liberal leaders and Trudeau in their campaign messaging.

While the Conservatives had initially planned to trigger an election by forcing a confidence motion, Trudeau’s prorogation of Parliament has delayed this strategy until at least the end of March. This delay comes at a critical time as Canada faces the threat of tariffs from President-elect Donald Trump, which could have severe economic repercussions.

Although the Liberals are focused on selecting a new leader, the Conservatives are already actively campaigning. Poilievre has been touring various industries and holding events across the country. With a significant fundraising advantage over the Liberals, the Conservatives are poised to seize the opportunity presented by the Liberal leadership race and effectively communicate their message to Canadian voters.