By Sean Dougan
On February 15, 2025, the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) and Pierre Poilievre are making aggressive moves to reshape their messaging, image, and brand. Their “Canada First” rally in Ottawa marks the unofficial kickoff of their election campaign—a high-energy event designed to unite Conservative supporters and patriotic Canadians from all backgrounds.
This initiative aims to solidify and extend the CPC’s core policy messages, including their well-known slogans:
- 🏡 “Bring It Home” – A call to action for Canadians to support his vision of national renewal.
- 🪓 “Axe the Tax” – Advocating for the elimination of certain taxes, particularly the carbon tax.
- 🏗 “Build the Homes” – Pushing for increased housing construction to address shortages.
- 🚔 “Stop the Crime” – Focusing on public safety and tougher crime policies.
- 📊 “Balance the Budget” – Promoting fiscal responsibility and eliminating government deficits.
- 📈 “Spike the Hike” – Opposing proposed increases in taxes or fees.
More than just campaign rhetoric, Canada First seeks to unify these themes with recent political events and the broader influence of Donald Trump in Canada. With an open invitation to the public, the rally is set to be a defining moment in the CPC’s rebranding effort. If you’re in Ottawa, you can sign up to attend here.
Canada First Rally with Pierre Poilievre in Ottawa – Conservative Party of Canada
The “Canada First” stance, which has been making waves recently, is not entirely new. In fact, it was first introduced by Pierre Poilievre about two months after the election of Donald Trump. While Poilievre’s move to adopt this messaging aligns with his growing national profile, critics argue that it signals a breakdown in the Conservative Party’s messaging strategy and a lack of clear direction from Party Headquarters.
As the party’s war chest remains under scrutiny, it’s unclear how much has been spent on this new approach. Meanwhile, the once-strong anti-carbon tax and “stop the crime” rhetoric seem to have lost momentum, as the public has moved on from those talking points, past the point of their 6-week long term memories. Donald Trump and his policies, particularly around tariffs, now dominate the conversation.
Adding to the complexity, Pierre Poilievre, who many viewed as somewhat left of traditional conservatism, now faces opposition from left-leaning liberals who are veering further right themselves. This shift is visible in the increasingly populist rhetoric of several Liberal leadership contenders.
The upcoming Canada First Rally seems to be strategically timed just ahead of the Liberal leadership debates on February 24th and 25th, 2025. With the leadership race intensifying, several Liberal contenders are now presenting themselves with more right-wing or populist leanings, creating an intriguing dynamic in Canadian politics.
Among the Liberal contenders, Mark Carney stands out as the presumed front-runner. However, Carney’s recent shift away from the carbon tax has caught the attention of many, particularly in light of Poilievre’s criticism of him as “Carbon Tax Carney”. Carney is distancing himself from traditional carbon tax models in favor of a “carbon tariff” aimed at penalizing both domestic polluters and countries that fail to implement effective carbon pricing schemes. This bold stance, positioning Carney closer to Poilievre’s rhetoric, adds an unexpected twist to the race.
In a dramatic turn, Stephen Guilbeault, the climate-focused Minister of Environment and former “carbon ox” of the past decade, seems to be stepping back from his aggressive climate stance. Similarly, Chrystia Freeland has distanced herself from the carbon tax, even going so far as to tear up a symbolic paper relic of the policy, signaling a dramatic shift away from her earlier support. Meanwhile, Chand Arya, Karina Gould, and Frank Baylis are adopting a more pragmatic approach focused on government efficiency—advocating for reform and cutting waste, a move reminiscent of Conservative fiscal discipline and austerity. Perhaps the most shocking shift comes from Ruby Dhalla, who has taken one of the most right-wing positions in the race by calling for the deportation of illegal immigrants, a proposal in stark contrast to traditional Liberal immigration policies. As the leadership race heats up, it’s clear that many candidates are embracing policies once more associated with the right, suggesting a notable shift within the Liberal Party.
The political landscape is shifting rapidly with the introduction of Donald J Trump as POTUS in the Canadian Environment. “Vote Trudeau Out” now mute from the largest shift is the promised resignation of Justin Trudeau from the Prime Minsters Office. Evolving Canadian issues like housing and immigration add exponential fire to the problems afflicting our Canadian Society. Canadian nationalism is also accelerating at the same rate, DJT has seemed to galvanize both left and right, “Team Canada” and “Canada First” into a force of newfound love for their Country and way of life from the Canadian people not seen in years since the first declarations of our new post-national identity from Justin Trudeau.
The race for your vote is intensifying, and the stage will be set on February 15th at the Canada First rally, where policies and priorities for the upcoming election will take shape. Here’s what to expect in the realm of my own speculation:
🏛️ Economic Freedom: Advocating for a free-market economy with minimal government interference. ESG and carbon pricing will be scrapped, and we’ll decouple from restrictive U.S. policies.
💰 Lower Taxes: Committed to eliminating the carbon tax and reducing taxes to ease the financial burden on Canadians.
💸 Reducing Government Spending: Austerity measures to cut waste and maintain fiscal responsibility, marking a departure from reliance on quantitative easing.
🌍 National Sovereignty: Focus on a Canada-first foreign policy, rebuilding the military, strengthening borders, and eliminating trade barriers within Canada.
🛂 Immigration Reform: Stricter immigration policies, deporting illegal immigrants and allowing only carefully vetted newcomers.
⚖️ Law and Order: Tough-on-crime stance, supporting more policing and ensuring the independence of law enforcement and judicial systems.
👨👩👧👦 Family Values: Prioritizing traditional family structures, individual freedoms, and responsible governance. We’ll focus on housing and defending two genders.
🌱 Energy Independence: Developing Canada’s natural resources to ensure energy self-sufficiency, starting with key projects like Northern Gateway and Energy East.
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Whatever comes out of the February 15th rally, expect concrete policies to follow. What we hear will set the tone for all parties leading into the next federal election, which must take place by October 20, 2025. As of February 2nd, the CPC holds a strong lead according to poll aggregator 338, but their rebranding and messaging could fall flat, potentially shifting power back to the left. On the other hand, they could nail it and silence their critics once and for all.
What do you think, Canada? Let me know in the comments!
Sources:
‘Canada First rally’ expected to be major rebranding of Conservative campaign, say senior Tories – The Hill Times
Canada First Rally with Pierre Poilievre in Ottawa – Conservative Party of Canada
Carney says he’ll dump consumer carbon tax, charge ‘carbon border adjustment’ tariffs on imports
Freeland to scrap consumer carbon tax as Liberal leader: source | National Post
Guilbeault admits carbon tax could be ‘replaced’ | National Post
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