Pierre Poilievre on Musk's endorsement: Open Tesla factories in Canada

Canada’s Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre addressed Elon Musk’s recent endorsement, using the opportunity to discuss his vision for Canada’s economy. Speaking to reporters, Poilievre noted the potential for collaboration with Musk and his companies.

"My three-year-old said to me that he wants to go to Mars, so Musk will be the right guy to put him in touch with," Poilievre said. "The fact is that it would be nice if we could convince Musk to open some of his factories here in Canada to create some high-paying jobs for our people."

He pointed to Tesla, Musk’s electric vehicle company, as an example. "Tesla is one of the biggest automotive companies in the world. It would be nice if we were producing more without corporate welfare, subsidies like the Liberals favour," he added.

Poilievre also criticised the Liberal government, led by outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for its handling of the economy. "If I ever get a chance to meet Musk, I would say, how do we make this an economy where we bring home hundreds of billions of dollars of investment to Canada? Why is it that after nine years of Liberal government, it’s Americans that are getting all the paycheques? What is it that the Liberals have done wrong to drive such a huge amount of money out of our country? That is the question that all Canadians should be asking."

Musk’s engagement with Canadian politics has drawn attention in recent weeks. On his social media platform, X, Musk has endorsed Poilievre, shared his posts, and praised his speeches. At the same time, Musk has been critical of Trudeau, using disparaging language to mock him.

Trudeau recently announced his intention to step down as Liberal leader once his party selects a successor. His departure sets the stage for a challenging election, with Poilievre riding a wave of anti-Trudeau sentiment.

Poilievre, who became Conservative leader in 2022, has gained support by criticising the government’s handling of affordability issues and inflation. His sharp rhetoric and populist style have drawn comparisons to US President-elect Donald Trump.

Observers have pointed to voter fatigue after nine years of Liberal rule. "The average shelf life of prime ministers has been a decade," said Nelson Wiseman, a professor emeritus of politics at the University of Toronto.

Poilievre’s strategy focusses on economic issues and opposition to Trudeau’s carbon tax. His slogans, such as “axe the tax,” have resonated with voters, though he has yet to outline detailed policies.

An Angus Reid poll published before Trudeau’s resignation announcement showed Poilievre leading against potential Liberal candidates. Analysts predicted that the Conservatives are well-positioned for the next national election, which must take place by October 2025 but could occur sooner, news agency Reuters reported.