Canada should become the 51st state of the United States—this comment, repeatedly made by Donald Trump, has prompted Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to assert that it highlights Canada’s need for new leadership.
In an exclusive interview with the Toronto Sun, Poilievre stated that Trump sees the weakness of the currently chaotic Trudeau government and wants to take advantage of it. “This is why we need a strong and smart prime minister, someone with intelligence and backbone. Canada will never be the 51st state. We will remain an independent, proud nation, just as we are,” he declared.
However, this does not mean that Poilievre is taking a combative stance against the U.S. president. In fact, he acknowledges the issues of illegal immigration from Canada to the U.S. and the illegal drug crisis. “These problems are ours to solve,” he said. “I want to secure our borders not just to please President Trump or any other American, but to protect our own families.”
In this context, he highlighted the severe fentanyl crisis in Canada, mentioning that more than 47,000 people have died from overdoses of this dangerous drug. “That number exceeds the number of Canadians killed while fighting in World War II,” Poilievre noted. “It is shocking to consider how dangerous the drug liberalization policies of this NDP-Liberal government have become.”
Most fentanyl crossing the U.S. border comes from Mexico, and the current Biden administration also views Canada as part of the problem. Poilievre stressed the need to imprison drug traffickers and dismantle their money laundering networks operating in Canada. “Even if Trump doesn’t say it, we must take action,” he said.
The Conservative leader has placed criminal justice reform at the core of his platform. His policies include ensuring repeat offenders serve jail time rather than being released on bail. The Trudeau Liberal government has weakened Canada’s criminal justice system over the years by amending the Criminal Code to make bail the default option, requiring judges and justices to grant it.
“Criminals should be behind bars so that law-abiding citizens can feel safe,” Poilievre asserted.
