With less than three weeks until election day, three federal party leaders worked to woo voters in Western Canada on Tuesday.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre held a news conference in Edmonton, where he announced that he would crack down on offshore tax loopholes. He then returned to Ontario for a “Canada First” rally in Sault Ste. Marie.
Liberal Leader Mark Carney started his day in Delta, B.C., touting his housing plan, which includes the use of Canadian softwood lumber. He later headed for a campaign stop in Alberta, where he ruffled some feathers this week poking fun at Premier Danielle Smith.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh toured B.C.’s Lower Mainland, promising to close loopholes in existing rules to ban foreign home buyers.
Elizabeth May, co-leader of the Greens, unveiled the party’s health-care platform, which includes implementing universal pharmacare to cover all prescription medication and expanding the dental care plan.
Here’s a recap of what happened on Day 17 of the campaign.
5 p.m. EDT: May visits Toronto after unveiling health-care expansion plan
Green co-leader Elizabeth May brought her campaign to vote-rich Ontario Tuesday, as her party battles low polling numbers.
But while May suggested other opposition parties are “in real jeopardy” this election, she said the Greens are still “doing well.”
“We’re getting squeezed out of the conversation, I’ll give you that,” May told CTV News during a stop in Toronto.
Earlier in Guelph, the party unveiled its health-care plan, which includes ending out-of-pocket prescription costs and integrating dental care and mental health care into the public system.
The Greens framed their health platform as the most ambitious of any party.
Rachel Aiello, CTV News national correspondent
4 p.m. EDT: More market turmoil from Trump tariffs
The trading day seemed to start well. Toronto’s main stock index was up more than 300 points, while the Dow in New York jumped 1,300 points.
Some investors were clearly optimistic about potential trade deals – but many analysts were calling it a “relief rally,” which is a temporary upswing during a broader decline.
And that relief lasted less than four hours. By 1 p.m., stock indexes were in the red with the White House confirming plans to put a 104 per cent tariff on all Chinese imports at midnight.
“I think the big bogey is China, and until the U.S. and China can get on the same page, then we’re going to continue to see volatility in the market,” says Brett Girard, portfolio manager at Liberty International Investment Management. “Without news around how these tariffs are going to resolve, these might be the lows, but it’s highly likely that things will continue lower from here until we get more clarity.”
John Vennavally-Rao, CTV News senior correspondent
3:08 p.m. EDT: Carney on Harper endorsing Poilievre
Responding to former prime minister Stephen Harper’s endorsement of Pierre Poilievre, Liberal Mark Carney says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has not managed crises or difficult situations despite his long tenure as a politician.
“Stephen Harper appointed me governor of the Bank Canada. I worked closely with the late and great (former finance minister) Jim Flaherty during the (2008) financial crisis. We resolved a number of situations. Many people are familiar with that experience,” Carney said.
“I note that Pierre Poilievre was not at any of those tables, was not given any of those responsibilities, and note further that in subsequent years, he has not gained any responsibility in managing crises or difficult situations. So, I’ll leave it at that.”
During a rally in Edmonton last night, Harper told the crowd that Poilievre and Carney both worked for him and his choice for prime minister “without hesitation, without equivocation, without a shadow of a doubt, is Pierre Poilievre.”
Harper has accused Carney of overstating his role in steering the country through the global financial crisis, saying Flaherty made the hard calls during that time.
Bryann Aguilar, CTVNews.ca federal election journalist. With files from CTV News national correspondent Rachel Aiello and The Canadian Press.
2:40 p.m. EDT: Carney says he has ‘a lot of respect’ for Alta. premier after making joke
The Liberal leader says his weekend joke about Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s appearance on Fox News to advocate for Canada amid the ongoing trade war was “light-hearted.”
Carney was referring to Smith’s and Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s appearances on the U.S. conservative network as they tried to speak with Americans and dissuade President Donald Trump from imposing tariffs on Canada.
During a campaign stop in Victoria, B.C. on Sunday, Carney joked that Canada was sending Ford to appear on Fox, and then said, “We’re going to send Danielle next.” He then added, “no, maybe we won’t send Danielle … We’re going to keep her. No, it was a bad idea. Strike that, just ignore that.”
When asked about the quip on Tuesday and whether it could contribute to feelings of Western alienation, Carney replied he has “a lot of respect for the premier.” He noted that he and Smith have worked together on a number of occasions, including developing new trade and energy corridors between provinces.
Smith responded on Monday and said Carney has issues with strong conservative women.
The Liberal leader is expected to hold a rally in Calgary tonight.
On tax havens
Meanwhile, during his campaign stop in Delta, B.C., Carney was also asked if he condemns the use of tax havens. The Liberal leader has been facing questions about his job at Brookfield Asset Management, which CTV News learned has businesses registered in Bermuda.
He didn’t directly answer the question and instead said that Canada has an “effective tax system” and companies should follow those rules.
“We need to continue to refine our tax system to ensure that companies are paying their fair share of tax. My government will also ensure that the federal government is spending only those dollars that are necessary,” Carney said.
Both the Conservatives and the NDP have pledged to crack down on offshore tax havens, taking aim at Carney.
China disinformation campaign
The Liberal leader also addressed the Chinese “information operation” – detected by the elections watchdog – targeting him in the middle of an election campaign. He said he had no idea why he was being targeted.
Security officials have said the operation is not influencing Canadian voters.
“I fundamentally think that what’s important is Canadians get that transparency in real-time. And I think it’s been a welcome development for Canadians, but also a warning to foreign actors that we are on top of these things,” Carney said.
He was in Delta, B.C., to highlight his housing plan, touting that it will include the use of Canadian soft lumber, which is facing a tariff hike from the U.S.
Bryann Aguilar, CTVNews.ca federal election journalist. With files from CTVNews.ca election editor-in-chief Phil Hahn and The Canadian Press
1:35 p.m. EDT: Singh confident he’ll win his B.C. riding
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he is confident that he will keep his seat in the B.C. riding of Burnaby Central despite his party’s continuing drop in the polls.
Several pollsters have indicated that Singh is in jeopardy of losing his riding. Last week, Nik Nanos, chief data scientist at Nanos Research and official pollster for CTV News and The Globe and Mail, had the Liberals ahead outside of the margin of error in Burnaby Central in the Nanos weekly seat projections.
During a campaign stop in Vancouver, B.C., Singh was asked if he was concerned about his re-election chances. He initially sidestepped the question and said the upcoming vote is a “really important choice for Canadians.”
Singh then urged voters to send New Democrats to Parliament Hill because “we’re going to stand up and fight for you.”
When pressed if he thinks he could win, Singh said, “Absolutely. I’m confident that I’ll be able to serve the people of Burnaby Central.”
According to the latest Nanos Research polling, the NDP are a distant third nationally from the Liberals and Conservatives, remaining at eight per cent—which is a 25-year, “2000 federal election low” for the party.
British Columbia is the NDP’s best region when it comes to voter intention, at 18 per cent, according to Nanos daily tracking, and Singh continues to say voters need to send more New Democrats to Ottawa. Still, the Liberals are far ahead at 42 per cent in the province, with the Conservatives in second at 32 per cent.
Bryann Aguilar, CTVNews.ca federal election journalist. With files from CTV News national correspondent Mike Le Couteur, and CTVNews.ca election editor-in-chief Phil Hahn
12:52 p.m. EDT: Singh wants to ban foreign home buyers
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he wants to ban foreign buyers from purchasing homes in Canada.
Singh says a government led by him would close loopholes in the existing rules by barring numbered companies and corporate proxies from purchasing homes.
This prohibition would not apply to recreational properties like cottages and cabins.
Singh also says an NDP government would tax as income profits from the sale of a home sold within five years of the seller purchasing the home — unless it is someone’s principle residence.
The NDP leader says this measure is meant to prevent house-flipping.
The Canadian Press
12:48 p.m. EDT: Poilievre says Edmonton rally ‘incredible,’ criticizes Carney’s ‘banker’s haircut’
Following his announcement that a Poilievre government would crack down on tax evaders, the Conservative Leader was asked whether he feels he should broaden his message beyond certain talking points to increase his support among Liberals and undecided voters.
“I think it’s pretty broad,” Poilievre said when asked whether his focus on the “woke mob,” “century initiative,” and getting rid of the CBC headquarters are creating an echo chamber.
“How many people do you think we had last night?” he then asked, referencing his rally in Edmonton Monday night.
When Globe and Mail reporter Laura Stone — who had asked the original question about needing to broaden his message — replied “thousands,” Poilievre said she could “be more precise than that.”
According to the party, 10,000 people registered for the event, but there are reports that up to 15,000 were in attendance.
One notable attendee was former prime minister Stephen Harper, who endorsed Poilievre during the event.
“I know that if there were a bigger rally than that, you would know about it,” Poilievre told Stone. “But I think it was pretty incredible.”
The Tory leader also said the event was “magic.”
“I think to have 10,000 or 15,000 people at one political rally, this is a movement like we’ve never seen because people want change,” Poilievre said. “They want to put our country first for a change.”
During his press conference on Tuesday, the Conservative leader also repeated his criticism that Carney is too similar to his predecessor, Justin Trudeau.
“Because he has a banker’s haircut and he wears a normal pair of navy blue socks, don’t think his position on these issues is any different than Trudeau,” Poilievre said on the issue of pipelines, claiming that the Liberals will never get any new ones built if they form government.
Bryann Aguilar, CTVNews.ca federal election journalist, and Spencer Van Dyk, CTV News parliamentary bureau writer and producer
10:20 a.m. EDT: Poilievre vows to close offshore tax loopholes
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is promising to close offshore tax loopholes and create a website where the government could “name-and-shame” corporate tax evaders.
In his announcement, the Tory leader renewed his attack on Liberal Leader Mark Carney, who has been facing questions about his previous firm, Brookfield Asset Management.
CTV News learned that several entities of Brookfield’s core business are registered to an address in Bermuda - a country that does not have a corporate income tax. Carney previously served as chair of Brookfield’s board from August of 2022 until mid-January of this year, when he resigned to run for the party leadership.
“In Carney’s Canada, there’s a two-tier tax code: one for the rich like him, and one for everyone else,” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said in a news release accompanying his latest campaign promise.
“While you’re double-checking your tax return to avoid a penalty, Carney and his friends dodge theirs and then tax you more to make up the difference.”
Poilievre also vows to redirect Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) resources to crack down on offshore tax havens and expand the Offshore Tax Informant Program, which rewards international tax evasion whistleblowers financially.
Last week, CTV News asked Carney if he felt it was ethical for Brookfield and other companies to use tax havens to avoid paying taxes. Carney did not directly answer the questions of ethics, but reiterated that he was no longer at Brookfield and that the company followed the rules.
“This follows their arrangements. This follows the rules, including the tax rules of this country (and) other countries. And the structure is organized so that Canadian pension funds can get the most benefit for pensioners, which are teachers and retired first responders and public servants,” he said.
The NDP made a similar promise last week, pledging to close tax loopholes and end tax agreements with countries like Bermuda.
Bryann Aguilar, CTVNews.ca federal election journalist. With files from CTV News national correspondent Judy Trinh, CTV News senior producer Brennan MacDonald and CTV News chief political correspondent Vassy Kapelos.
8:32 a.m. EDT: Energy, trade diversification front and centre in campaign
In northern British Columbia, a hot spot for Canada’s energy sector, an oil refinery was Monday’s backdrop for what is becoming a key issue in Canada’s federal election campaign.
Trump’s trade war has exposed Canada’s vulnerability in the energy sector as most of the country’s natural gas and crude oil exports go to the U.S., making self-reliance a motivating factor.
Poilievre promises to approve 10 big new energy projects and fast track regulatory approvals.
Liberal Leader Mark Carney has put energy at the forefront of his campaign too. He’s also promised a more efficient approval process for big projects and has pledged to build an energy corridor.
Jeremie Charron, CTV News national correspondent
8 a.m. EDT: Liberals’ lead over Conservatives remains at 5 points
The federal Liberals’ advantage over the Conservatives remains at five points on Day 17 of the federal election campaign.
A three-day rolling sample by Nanos Research ending April 7 has the Liberals at 43 per cent over the Conservatives who are at 38 per cent nationally.
The New Democratic Party remains at eight per cent—which is a 25 year, “2000 federal election low” for the party, according to Nanos—followed by the Bloc Quebecois (seven per cent), Green Party of Canada (three per cent) and the People’s Party of Canada (one per cent).
“The narrowed five-point gap between the Liberals and the Conservatives continues as voting day looms less than three weeks away,” said Nik Nanos, chief data scientist at Nanos Research and official pollster for CTV News and the Globe and Mail.
“Compared to three days ago, the Liberals are down three points and the Conservatives up three in popular support.”
Phil Hahn, CTVNews.ca election editor-in-chief
Former PM Harper praises Poilievre at Edmonton rally
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s political experience and his climb to the top of the party’s ranks makes him aptly positioned to lead Canada, former prime minister Stephen Harper says.
“Political experience -- elected accountable political experience -- and the capacity for growth with that political experience, that is what Pierre has demonstrated for two decades,” said Harper at a Conservative campaign rally Monday in an industrial warehouse south of Edmonton.
“That is the single most important characteristic a prime minister needs.”
Harper, Canada’s prime minister from 2006 to 2015, said Poilievre’s experience, including his time in Harper’s cabinet, should outweigh the resume of the political newcomer in Liberal Leader and Prime Minister Mark Carney, who served as the governor of the Bank of Canada during Harper’s time in office.
“I am the only person who can say that both of the men running to be prime minister once worked for me,” Harper told the crowd.
“And in that regard, my choice without hesitation, without equivocation, without a shadow of a doubt, is Pierre Poilievre.”
The Canadian Press
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Here’s a recap of what happened on Day 16:
Poilievre was welcomed back to Alberta by former prime minister Stephen Harper at a massive rally in Edmonton.
Harper told the crowd Poilievre has been “right on all the big issues for a decade,” and is the candidate to lead Canada into “a better, stronger and more united future.”
Poilievre spent most of Monday in B.C., where he unveiled a “one-and-done” rule to speed up approvals for major resource projects.
Meanwhile, Carney spent the day discussing punishing U.S. softwood lumber duties with B.C. Premier David Eby, and announcing financial help for retirees impacted by the ongoing trade war instigated by President Donald Trump.
Andrew Weichel, CTVNews.ca federal election journalist
