Poilievre launches ‘Canada First’ economic plan to cut taxes, build homes, boost growth

Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre Photo: Jarryd Jäger, Western Standard
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Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has announced his Canada First Economic Action Plan, pledging to make life more affordable, revive Canada’s economy, and turn the nation into what he calls “an economic powerhouse.” 

Poilievre says his proposal could boost Canada’s economic activity by up to half a trillion dollars over five years.

The plan, released at a press conference in Ottawa, draws on the Conservative record after the 2008 global financial crisis. 

Poilievre argues that while the previous Economic Action Plan rescued Canadians back then, the country did not face the affordability challenges that exist today. 

“Life was affordable in 2008,” said Poilievre. 

“Food was affordable, housing was affordable, and taxes were lower. Those days are gone, and Canadians are feeling the pinch. My plan will get us back on track.”

A key measure in Poilievre’s plan is the Bring It Home Tax Cut. 

This proposal lowers income taxes by 15%, allowing workers to hold on to more of their paycheques. 

According to Conservative estimates, an average employee would gain about $900 each year, while a dual-income family could save $1,800. 

Poilievre says this tax cut is aimed at boosting consumer spending and helping struggling households. 

“When Canadians keep more of their money, they can invest in themselves, their families, and their future,” said Poilievre.

Poilievre also wants to axe the federal sales tax on new homes up to $1.3 million. 

Poilievre claims this tax break, along with incentives for cities that lower development charges, would save homebuyers up to $100,000. 

With skyrocketing housing costs across the country, Poilievre said this policy would help younger Canadians who feel locked out of the market.

To further reduce costs, Poilievre plans to eliminate the sales tax on new Canadian cars. 

Poilievre argues that this step will protect the auto industry by preserving jobs and encouraging Canadians to buy domestically produced vehicles. 

As well, Poilievre pledges to create a Keep Canadians Working Fund to support businesses affected by President Donald Trump’s tariffs, which have hurt Canadian exporters.

Another pillar of the proposal is training 350,000 new apprentices over the next five years by expanding the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP). 

Poilievre vows to restore the $4,000 apprenticeship grants that were cancelled, saying this will give young Canadians a solid start in skilled trades. 

“We want more homes built by Canadians, for Canadians,” said Poilievre. 

“That’s how we solve the housing crisis, by training our people and giving them the skills they need.”

Poilievre’s plan aims to revive Canada’s energy sector by repealing Bill C-69, which he calls the No New Development Law, and Bill C-48.

Poilievre insists these policies have blocked crucial energy projects, caused billions in lost investment, and driven business south to the US. 

Poilievre also wants to scrap what he refers to as the “industrial carbon tax” and lift the cap on Canadian energy production.

Criticizing former Bank of Canada governor and Liberal Leader Mark Carney, who has advised the Trudeau Liberal government on financial policy, Poilievre accuses Carney of supporting a “keep-it-in-the-ground” ideology that stops resource development. 

Poilievre quoted Carney’s statement that “more than 80% of current fossil fuel reserves” must remain unexploited, arguing it harms Canadian competitiveness. 

“Carney wants to stick with C-69 and the cap on energy,” said Poilievre. 

“That keeps us dependent on foreign imports and locked into selling our resources at a discount.”

If elected, Poilievre plans to create a National Energy Corridor for pipelines, railways, transmission lines, and other major infrastructure. 

The corridor would allow rapid construction of critical projects from coast to coast, bypassing reliance on American routes. 

He further proposes a One-Stop-Shop for resource development approvals, promising a single environmental review within a year.

Additionally, Poilievre vows to upgrade the Port of Churchill to open more export possibilities for Canadian resources. 

Poilievre also wants to fast-track Phase 2 of LNG Canada and at least nine other natural gas projects. 

Poilievre says these moves would deliver new jobs and revenue.

To encourage reinvestment, the Canada First Reinvestment Tax Cut would reward Canadians who put their earnings back into the country, potentially fuelling new home construction and expanded manufacturing. 

Another part of the plan would introduce Shovel-Ready Zones with pre-permit approvals to reduce red tape and spur rapid development.

Promising to slash government paperwork, Poilievre says he will enact a Two-for-One Rule, requiring federal regulators to remove two rules for every new one introduced. 

An annual review by the Auditor General would keep these cuts on track. 

Poilievre also intends to pass a dollar-for-dollar law, ensuring that each new dollar in federal spending must be offset by a dollar saved elsewhere.

Concluding his announcement, Poilievre described the “Lost Liberal Decade” as a period of rising costs, fewer jobs, and “dependency on America.” 

Poilievre argued that Canada needs a Conservative government committed to “axing taxes, building homes, and bringing home jobs and dollars.” 

Emphasizing national independence, Poilievre suggested that a stronger Canada can “stand up to Trump from a position of strength.”

Poilievre’s Canada First Economic Action Plan is his blueprint to “restore affordability and prosperity” while shifting Canada away from failed Liberal economic policies. 

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