Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre arrived in London on Monday as part of a European tour that includes stops in the United Kingdom and Germany.
During his first international trip as Opposition leader, Poilievre is engaging with like-minded politicians and sharing a political and economic vision he hopes will compete with Prime Minister Mark Carney.
On Monday evening, Poilievre addressed attendees at a reception held at London’s exclusive Carlton Club, which has been a gathering place for British Tories since 1832. In his brief speech focused on strengthening ties between Canada, the U. K., Australia, and New Zealand, he emphasized the need for better cooperation among Commonwealth partners regarding critical minerals, defense procurement, and the acknowledgment of professional credentials across borders.
“A nurse or a doctor in London, England, is certainly qualified to be a nurse or doctor in London, Ontario,” Poilievre said.
![]()
Poilievre shared photos from a Monday meeting with the business community in London. (@Pierre Poilievre/X)
Recognizing foreign medical credentials has long been an issue for skilled immigrants coming to Canada; however, it’s mainly managed at the provincial and territorial levels.
Regarding critical minerals, Poilievre suggested creating a “critical minerals and energy compact” along with a “critical minerals and energy reserve” that would be accessible to Canada’s allies during crises if those nations permit tariff-free trade with Canada.
This concept was initially introduced by Poilievre during a speech he gave to business leaders in Toronto last week.
His comments on Monday are seen as an introduction leading up to his scheduled speech in London on Tuesday. Poilievre will present the Margaret Thatcher lecture at the Centre for Policy Studies before heading to Berlin for further discussions and meetings.
This trip follows some tough months for him and his party. Three Conservative MPs have defected to join the governing Liberals; most recently, Edmonton MP Matt Jeneroux left after stating last November that he was stepping away from politics to spend more time with family.
Current polls consistently show Conservatives lagging behind the Liberals in public support while voters tend to view Carney more favorably than they do Poilievre.
Carney gained global attention in January when he spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The prime minister offered an extensive critique of the rules-based international order while cautioning against what he referred to as a “rupture” within that order.
This message was perceived as directed towards the U. S., particularly under President Donald Trump’s administration.
P oilievre previously pledged not to allow any ministers from his Conservative government to attend WEF meetings; he responded directly to Carney’s Davos speech during his address in Toronto.
“We should not declare a permanent rupture with our biggest customer and closest neighbour in favour of a strategic partnership for a new world order with Beijing,” Poilievre said.
Source link
Source link
