“Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to crack down on car theft and illicit exports of vehicles if elected as Prime Minister in the upcoming elections. Speaking to the press during a conference at a Montreal port, Poilievre made it clear that tackling Canada’s rising auto theft problem was a key issue on his agenda.
Auto Thefts on the Rise
The conservative leader emphasized that car theft has seen a significant surge under the Trudeau administration, with Toronto reporting a 300% increase, while Ottawa and Montreal saw a 100% spike each. In response to this, Poilievre vowed to reverse the reckless policies that have turned federal ports into hubs for stolen cars, making it much harder to ship cars overseas.
Port Security Concerns
Highlighting the security inadequacies at the federal Port of Montreal, Poilievre pointed out that with only five agents available to inspect thousands of containers annually, and a single X-ray scanner often out of service, stolen vehicles are slipping through the cracks. This leaves the Canadian Border Service Agents able to check less than 1% of all containers passing through the country.
Fire Consultants, Invest in Scanners
Poilievre criticized the Trudeau government’s over-reliance on consultant agencies and exorbitant spending, promising to redirect the funds saved from firing consultants to invest in X-ray scanners and have more CBSA officers on the front lines at the port.
Nazi Veteran Controversy
The conservative leader also revisited the controversy surrounding Trudeau’s invitation to Nazi veteran Yaroslav Hunka at a reception for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He questioned whether Trudeau, who had previously called for the resignation of the House Speaker over the invitation, would apply the same demand to himself.
Wider International Issues
Shifting his stance to international matters, Poilievre suggested donating older missiles to Ukraine to help them defend themselves, as well as selling natural gas to Europe to reduce the continent’s dependence on Russia.
A Compelling Conclusion
Poilievre’s promise to protect Canadian property and address both national and international issues presents a strong, conservative stance. With a focus on domestic crime rates and international interventions, his platform aims to position Canada as a prominent global player while addressing pertinent issues at home.”
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