During N.L. tour, Poilievre stresses 'common-sense' approach but fails to address local issues

Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievrewas in St. John's on Friday to visit supporters in a historically Liberalriding, offering federal solutions for provincial problems withwhat he called a common-sense approach.

Speaking downtown Friday morning,Poilievresaid Prime Minister JustinTrudeau's announcement of a three-year suspension of the carbon tax on home heating oil. showsheis in "panic mode."

Poilievre, citing diminishingLiberal support acrosspolls in Atlantic Canada,saidhis party wouldn't "flip-flop" on cutting the tax altogether.

"What caused Justin Trudeau to freak out yesterday and hold a sudden press conference to announce that he was going to pause the carbon tax on home heating oil is that he was plummeting in the polls, and Pierre Poilievrewas holding massive rallies in Liberal-held ridings to axe the tax,"Poilievre told reporters.

"Justin Trudeau's not worried about the cost of living, he's worried about the cost of votes."

Poilievre has made several visits to Newfoundland and Labrador during his campaign to become Canada's next prime minister, including stops in St. John's, Corner Brook and Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

The party has only one member of Parliament in the province,Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame MP Clifford Small.

The Avalon riding in the capital, where Poilievrespoke to a rally of about 300 people Friday, has votedLiberal since 2008.

He took several shots at Trudeau, including one when he rewarded a crowd member with an apple after they referred to criminals as "Liberals."

Chris Forward told CBC News heattended the rally because he's concerned about the affordability of home heating and goods across the country especially on the island of Newfoundland, where goods are delivered by truck.

"My parents are elderly, and they were hit with a huge carbon tax bill," Forward said. "Although it's being eliminated or paused for a couple years, I just want to make sure that it's gone just so seniors have a warm home this winter."

Forward, general manger of Harvey's Oil, was formerly involved in operations of his family's home heating company,Forward's Oil.

Attendee Richard Nelson said Poilievre will bring him to the polls for the first time. He came to see the Conservative leader, who he says is the right leader for the future.

"I never was politicaluntil the pandemic hit, and then I started watching our prime minister and I thought, 'OK, something's wrong,'" Nelson said. "Now I've become political, and [Poilievre]seems like a real guy."

Local problems, federal solutions

While much of his initial comments centred on the carbon tax, reporters also asked Poilievreabout local issueslike housing, climate change and wind energy although he often offered federal solutions.

When asked about labour shortages in the construction industry and how he would address the provincial housing crisis, Poilievreshared talking points about how rent has doubled under Trudeau's leadership and the need for policies toincentivizecities to speed upbuilding permits in an effort to build more homes.

WATCH|Poilievrespeaks with reporters in St. John's:

Carbon tax panicked flip-flop wont help enough N.L.ers: Poilievre

11 months ago

Duration 1:08

Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who was in St. Johns on Friday, said PM Justin Trudeau only decided to pause the carbon tax to win votes and not because he truly cares about peoples financial struggles.

However, hedidn't speak directly to what could be done to help people in Newfoundland and Labrador specifically.

Reporters also asked Poilievreabout plans for addressing climate change. He responded by saying there's a need to greenlight more green energy projects across Canada likemorehydro power in Quebecandspeeding up the time it takes to develop lithium mines in the Prairies.

Asked about the wind-energy project in Stephenville and concerns about environmental impacts, Poilievre said he was unaware of the project but saidprocesses to ensure more power for the country need to be sped up.

"I can't comment on every single project in the country. I'd be happy to look into the one you mentioned in particular, but my overall approach will be to deliver quick decisions," he said.

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