Pierre Poilievre gets warm reception at Yellowknife rally
CBC
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre got a warm reception at an "axe the tax" rally in Yellowknife on Sunday.
The rally was Poilievre's first public event in the Northwest Territories since he took over as Conservative Party leader in 2022.
More than 200 people crowded into a conference room at the Explorer Hotel to hear him share his platform, starting with his plan to end the carbon tax.
"Everything costs more. You make it, Trudeau takes it," he said.
"How are we going to ship food up to the North when the trucks, the trains, and the planes, are all paying four times more carbon tax than they are already paying?"
The Conservative leader got plenty of applause – and laughs — during the event, using jokes and memes to promote campaign promises like lowering income tax and reducing government spending.
He also emphasized his support for hunters.
"We're going to respect your right to keep your hunting rifle, protect your traditional way of life, and go after the real criminals instead," he said, criticizing the Liberal government's gun policy.
It was Poilievre's only public appearance during his visit to Yellowknife. CBC requested an interview with Poilievre, but he was not made available.
He was introduced by Kimberly Fairman, the Conservative Party's official N.W.T. candidate for the next federal election. During her remarks, she encouraged those in attendance to like, comment, and share Poilievre's social media posts, as well as to donate and volunteer for his campaign.
After he finished his speech, he stuck around for a meet and greet, where supporters could pose for a picture.
Many attendees told CBC they were there to learn more about the Conservative leader.
Brandon Adaams, 24, said his number one concern going into the next election is housing, and he was "on the fence" about Poilievre going into the rally.
"I've seen some of his videos and what he talks about, so I think it will be a good thing to listen, hear what he has to say."