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Federal politics

Conservative leadership hopeful Poilievre to visit Prince George Friday

Apr 5, 2022 | 1:18 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Conservative Party of Canada leadership hopeful Pierre Poilievre will be in Prince George Friday night.

He’ll appear at the Coast Hotel starting at 6 p.m. He’ll visit here as part of his British Columbia tour, trying to drum up support in the run up to September 10 – the date the party will pick its next leader – the successor to former leader Erin O’Toole.

College of New Caledonia Political Science Instructor Chris Beach says it’s positive Poilievre is including Prince George as part of his travels.

“Because as well all know, it seems like few leaders, or leadership hopefuls, do actually come to Prince George, even in our last provincial elections.”

So why is he coming here when he already has the public support of both local MPs – Cariboo-Prince George Conservative MP Todd Doherty and Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies Conservative MP Bob Zimmer?

“I think it says he’s not leaving any stone unturned. That’s he’s willing to put the time and energy in B.C. and that he’s very serious. He’s not leaving anything to chance, we haven’t seen any of the other candidates yet.”

According to Poiliever’s personal website, he’s running on a range of issues, including fiscal responsibility, a promise to cut red tape, attack inflation, and a promise to end imports of overseas oil within five years.

Beach likes what’s he’s seen from Poilievre’s campaign so far, a campaign that’s been drawing large crowds everyone he goes.

“He’s the clear frontrunner. He was seen as a frontrunner two years ago but decided not to run. He may have known the Trudeau government would’ve been tough to beat at that time.

“At 42, he still has a lot of runway left in his career. Believe it or not, he was elected at the age of 25. He’s been elected seven times. So, he’s in the enviable position of being very young, eight years younger than Justin Trudeau, a fresh face in terms of national stature, and yet he’s been around for a long time. He knows all the inner workings of government, of the party, he’s held key portfolios. So he knows what’s going on and has a lot of experience.”

Poilievre is one of five candidates so far. The others are Jean Charest, Leslyn Lewis, Roman Baber, and Scott Aitchison.