Freeland rejects Poilievre’s call for early election
“I think we need to really take these assertions [made] by the Conservative leader with a very healthy grain of salt,” she said.
On Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland rejected Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s calls for a federal election this fall, suggesting that Poilievre’s push for an election is motivated more by political opportunism than by the interests of Canadians.
Freeland urged caution in taking Poilievre’s assertions seriously. “I think we need to really take these assertions [made] by the Conservative leader with a very healthy grain of salt,” she stated.
Recent polls show the Liberals trailing the Conservatives by significant margins, and Poilievre has urged the NDP and the Bloc Québécois to end their current supply-and-confidence agreement with the Liberal government.
Freeland pointed to recent positive economic indicators as proof that the government’s policies are effective. “We have had a steady stream of good economic news for Canadians,” she said, highlighting that inflation has stayed within the Bank of Canada’s target range for seven months, interest rates have been reduced twice, and wages have exceeded inflation for 18 months.
“It looks like Canada is going to achieve a soft landing,” Freeland added.
She also criticized the Conservatives, suggesting that the improving economy poses a challenge to their political strategy. “It turns out it is bad news for the Conservatives… and maybe they should be worried about that,” she said.
Regarding the possibility of the NDP ending the supply-and-confidence agreement, Freeland expressed confidence in its continuation, citing shared priorities such as the recently introduced dental care program. “Delivering dental care is so important, and I know voters of all convictions recognize how positive that is,” she remarked.
Freeland’s comments on Thursday indicated that despite trailing in the polls, the Liberal government is banking on economic improvements to enhance their appeal to Canadians.
Meanwhile, Poilievre continues to pressure the NDP to reconsider their support for the Liberal government, presenting his appeal as a response to voter dissatisfaction.
