Â鶹´«Ã½

Politics

    • Five policy questions Tory leadership front-runner Pierre Poilievre hasn't answered

    Share
    OTTAWA -

    Throughout the Conservative party's leadership race, Pierre Poilievre has campaigned on fighting inflation and the rising cost of living, as well as defending Canadians who refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

    His promises have revolved around the central rallying cry of “freedom.â€

    As the race winds down, and with many expecting the veteran Conservative MP to be named the party's next leader, here's a look at some of the pressing questions Poilievre hasn't yet answered - and is likely to face in the next general election.

    His campaign declined multiple requests for comment.

    1. FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE

    Poilievre hasn't said whether he will commit to Canada's goal, enshrined in law, of reaching net-zero emissions by mid-century. He also hasn't stated how much greenhouse gas pollution he believes the country should cut by the end of the decade.

    Michael Bernstein, executive director of the climate policy organization Clean Prosperity, said private investors around the world and those in the oil and gas industry have committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. It's also an expectation many Canadians have of their leaders, he said.

    What Poilievre has vowed to do is cancel the federal carbon price, which he calls a tax, and scrap environmental impact assessment legislation and the ban on oil tankers off the coast of northern British Columbia, which the Liberal government passed in 2019.

    He argues these measures have stymied the country's ability to get energy projects, such as pipelines, built. Poilievre also promised to end the import of oil from “foreign dictatorships,†boost oil production in Newfoundland and Labrador, and support an east-west pipeline.

    Poilievre has suggested he would rely on technology to reduce emissions but he hasn't elaborated on what that means.

    Bernstein says he finds it encouraging that Poilievre hasn't said much about climate change on the campaign trail because that gives him flexibility, if he wins.

    “The question for him is, how is he going to come up with a credible climate plan if he doesn't want to use carbon pricing,†Bernstein says, and if he doesn't want to take any measures that could increase costs for consumers.

    2. HEALTH-CARE FUNDING

    Several emergency rooms in Ontario have been forced to close for some time this summer due to a lack of staff, highlighting labour pressures on the country's health-care system after two years of battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Premiers have doubled down on their call for Ottawa to increase health transfers to bring the federal share up to 35 per cent from the current 22 per cent.

    Poilievre hasn't said how he would answer that request or detailed what he would do to help reduce the long wait times plaguing Canadians' access to procedures and services.

    What he has said is that provinces are best equipped to make decisions about service delivery. He also said under the former Conservative government of Stephen Harper, health transfers were increased by six per cent per year. That amount was negotiated by the previous Liberal government of Paul Martin. The Harper government said the annual increase would reduce to a minimum of three per cent in 2016-17. The Trudeau government has kept that formula with the smaller increases.

    Poilievre has also pledged to ensure the provinces expedite the approval of professional credentials for immigrants, including trained nurses.

    3. NATIONAL DAYCARE PROGRAM

    Another big question for the next Tory leader is around the childcare agreements Ottawa has signed with the provinces. These deals are supposed to ensure families will see their daycare fees cut in half by this year, paying on average as little as $10 per day by 2026.

    When Poilievre has been asked what he would do with the national program, he has said he plans to wait to see its results.

    He has also suggested he's interested in reducing costs and providing parents with more choice.

    But in the past, Poilievre has voiced opposition to the Liberal daycare plan.

    “Why should Justin Trudeau get to force parents to pay through taxes for his government daycare scheme, instead of letting them choose what's best for their own kids?†he tweeted in late 2020.

    4. REPEALING THE 2020 BAN ON ASSAULT-STYLE WEAPONS

    Rod Giltaca, the CEO and executive director of the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights, says Poilievre's platform on firearms “is quite vague,†leaving the group unsure whether he's committed to repealing a Liberal government order from 2020 that bans some 1,500 firearm models, including the AR-15.

    “He's made a commitment to treat gun owners fairly and to focus on public safety and to be honest, for our group, that's enough,†Giltaca said.

    During the last federal election, the Liberals attacked the Tories over former leader Erin O'Toole's promise to gun owners that he would repeal the weapons ban.

    Back in May, Poilievre gave a speech to members of the Canadian Shooting Sports Association, where he said his voting record in Parliament shows he's always sided with lawful gun owners, while endorsing stiffer penalties for those guilty of gun violence.

    Poilievre said he would “simplify the classification rules†using easy-to-understand language and appoint a task force of firearms owners to set classification criteria.

    5. CHINA AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS

    Some Conservatives believe the party should take a hawkish stance against the Chinese Communist Party and push the Liberals to better respond to the economic, security and human rights threats posed by the regime.

    Questions emerged following last year's federal election about whether criticism of China cost several Conservative MPs their seats in ridings with large populations of people of Chinese descent.

    A federal research unit within Global Affairs Canada detected a pattern of online posts from Communist party-linked accounts that may have been a co-ordinated campaign to discourage people of Chinese heritage from voting Conservative.

    Poilievre hasn't spelled out how he thinks the party should approach China but has criticized fellow leadership candidate Jean Charest for his past work with Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei.

    When it comes to foreign affairs more broadly, Poilievre has said he believes in being tough on Russia and that Canada ought to send more lethal weapons to Ukrainians battling Vladimir Putin's invasion.

    During the leadership campaign, Poilievre also talked about developing more of Canada's natural resources instead of importing oil from countries led by dictators.

    This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 8, 2022.

    IN DEPTH

    Opinion

    opinion

    opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster

    A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?

    opinion

    opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike

    When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

    Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

    Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

    Canada

    • A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

    • Two nephews of the beloved Harry R. Hamilton share stories about his life and legacy.

    • The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.

    • A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province’s police watchdog.

    World

    Politics

    • Murray Sinclair’s family members say the late justice and senator has been laid to rest according to his wishes.

    • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced voters in Cloverdale—Langley City will pick their next member of Parliament on Dec. 16.

    Health

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

    Business

    Lifestyle

    Sports

    Autos

    Local Spotlight

    For the second year in a row, the ‘Gift-a-Family’ campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

    Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

    A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

    As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

    A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts – not for themselves, but for those in need.

    A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

    Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

    A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

    • LIVE

      LIVE

      Thousands of people are gathered in downtown Vancouver to observe the city’s 100th Remembrance Day ceremony.

    • A suspect was arrested for allegedly brandishing a knife outside a Vancouver elementary school on Friday – just as the young students were heading home for the day.

    • Several hundred people gathered outside the Ontario legislature in Toronto to honour veterans and remember those who died fighting for their country.

    • Toronto is expected to see an economic boost to the tune of nearly $300 million thanks to Taylor Swift’s upcoming Eras Tour, which will be making a stop in Canada’s largest city for a six-show run later this month.

    • A man believed to be in his 40s has been rushed to a trauma centre following a stabbing in downtown Toronto.

    • Calgarians will be observing Remembrance Day at a number of different ceremonies across the city, including at the Hangar Flight Museum.

    • July 2025 may seem like it’s in the distant future, but for the St. Luke playground committee time is ticking to fundraise the $340,000 they still need to build a new playground.

    • Getting out to the mountains is even easier with a new bus route from a growing Germany-based service.

    • Crowds gathered in Ottawa and eastern Ontario on Monday to honour the sacrifice of men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service of Canada.

    • CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa.

    • After months of controversy surrounding a dog park in Ottawa's west end, a solution has been reached to divide the park in half.

    • A 36-year-old Montreal man who was out on bail after allegedly uttering death threats to a woman is now accused of murdering her on the South Shore.

    • With fewer interments and rising maintenance fees, the money for Canada's largest military cemetery will run out in three to four years.

    • Montreal Metro passengers can now flag a safety concern by texting a new phone number launched by the STM.

    • LIVE @ 10:45 A.M. MT

      LIVE @ 10:45 A.M. MT

      Monday is Remembrance Day, a time to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.

    • WEATHER

      WEATHER

      This is shaping up to be one of the warmest Remembrance Days in the past decade, at least, for temperatures.

    • Many Maritimers turned out in wet and windy weather Monday to remember those who have served, and continue to serve, in Canada's armed forces for Remembrance Day.

    • A Cape Breton senior recalls her life in German-occupied France, and her mother’s death, during the Second World War.

    • Thousand of people gathered at the Menin Gate in the Ypres, Belgium for Monday’s Remembrance Day Ceremony.

    • Remembrance Day is today, and a number of ceremonies are taking place around the province to honour those who gave their lives to serve our country.

    • A pillar in Canada’s history was honoured in Winnipeg Sunday afternoon, with thousands showing up to pay tribute to the life and legacy of the late Murray Sinclair.

    • Winnipeg police have identified two men involved in a stabbing incident earlier this week.

    • There will be two ceremonies taking place in Regina for Remembrance Day, hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion.

    • Regina author Valerie Crowther is celebrating the release of her book ‘War Letters: Linking Lives in the Second World War.’

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • Saskatchewan RCMP are searching for a suspect after a man was seriously injured in a farm-related incident in Montreal Lake.

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • The Regina Rams claimed the Hardy Cup after a hard fought battle against the Saskatoon Huskies 19-14 on Saturday in the first all Saskatchewan U-Sports western conference final since 2002.

    • Emergency crews responded to the scene on Road 68/Highway 2 east of Thamesford around 7 p.m.

    • The events will start at 10:15 a.m. with a parade that forms up in front of the Delta London Armories, marches east on Dundas Street and turns north onto Waterloo Street to Dufferin Avenue, the west to the Cenotaph.

    • A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

    • A Barrie man is at the centre of an alleged $2.2 million stolen used car scheme.

    • Environment Canada issued a weather alert for Barrie, Collingwood and surrounding areas, alerting residents about the wicked winds that are expected to pick up to 80 kilometres per hour in the afternoon hours.

    • Barrie residents gathered on Monday to honour Canada’s veterans and pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed for the country.

    • Representatives of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee, military representatives, wreath bearers, government officials, and members of the public will attend the Cenotaph at City Hall Square for the outdoor service.

    • Windsor Paralympic champion, Danielle Campo, has been crowned the number one Inspirational Speaker of the Year for 2024 at the Inspirational Speaking Finals.

    • One person has been arrested after Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) received multiple complaints about an alleged drunk driver.

    • Environment Canada says heavy rain and winds could cause power outages on Vancouver Island as an "intense" storm system is set to hit the B.C. coast Sunday.

    • Six deer were struck by vehicles in six different locations in a six-hour period on B.C. highways on Saturday, according to the transportation ministry.

    • The union for locked-out port workers in British Columbia says the BC Maritime Employers Association cut off talks in less than an hour Saturday, refusing to budge on a final offer that the union has so far rejected.

    • The emergency department at South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver, B.C., will be closed for 31 hours this weekend, the second such closure in a week and the third since the start of November.

    • Police in Kamloops, B.C., are reminding parents and guardians to check their children's Halloween candy after receiving a report of a mother finding a razor blade in one of her daughter's treats.

    • More than two years after Alannah Brown and Douglas Barker were found dead north of Penticton, police are asking for help identifying a vehicle they believe was associated with the crime.

    • The Southern Alberta Recreation Association is officially announcing the Town of Taber as next year’s host for the Southern Alberta Summer Games.

    • The Lethbridge Hurricanes broke open a close game with three goals in the first two minutes of the third period as they defeated the Warriors 7-3 in a game played Friday night in Moose Jaw.

    • There might not a lot snow just yet, but many southern Albertans are still itching to get outdoors.

    • It was just days before the COVID-19 pandemic shut the world down when the Shaft Bottom Boys of Sudbury broke a world record for 'Deepest Concert Underground.' Now, more than four years later, a Timmins band is looking to take the title.

    • Police have arrested a 15-year-old in connection with a break-in and $50,000 in damage done to the Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake in September.

    • Mayors of the five largest cities in northern Ontario met in North Bay the last two days to discuss a range of critical issues impacting their cities and the region.

    N.L.

    Stay Connected
    Follow Â鶹´«Ã½