Poilievre Stands by Candidate Criticized for Residential School Comments

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is standing by a B.C. candidate who has been criticized for past social media posts about Canada’s residential school system. Aaron Gunn, running in the North Island–Powell River riding, has posted comments in the past saying the residential school system did not constitute genocide.

Several First Nations organizations and leaders have called for Gunn to be removed as a candidate. This includes the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs and the B.C. First Nations Leadership Council. They pointed to Gunn’s posts from 2019 and 2021 that described the schools as “much-maligned” and claimed some Indigenous communities had requested them.

In one post, Gunn said residential schools were asked for by some Indigenous bands, dating back to when John A. Macdonald was a teenager. In another, he questioned how the term “genocide” has been used.

These comments have been widely rejected by Indigenous leaders. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission found that residential schools were part of a government policy to erase Indigenous cultures and languages. The commission described this as cultural genocide.

In 2022, the House of Commons passed a motion recognizing Canada’s residential school system as genocide. That motion came after Pope Francis used the same term during a visit to Canada.

Other federal leaders have responded. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Gunn’s comments were “heinous” and “hurtful.” He called for the Conservatives to drop Gunn as a candidate.

Poilievre has not done that.

Sources:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/pierre-poilievre-aaron-gunn-1.7503105

Jen St. Denis: Pierre Poilievre Keeps Talking about Women’s Biological Clocks. He Should Stop.

Right-wing politics has a fixation on baby-making right now, and it’s weird.

How do you feel when you hear the phrase “biological clock”? Do you feel your ovaries shrivelling and dying as the seconds tick by? Or maybe a hot flash of anger directed at any male politician who obsesses about the fertility of females?

- Jen St. Denis, journalist for the Tyee

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has been linking high housing costs to women’s ability to have children, using phrases like “biological clock” on the campaign trail. While housing affordability is a real concern, his language has sparked backlash, especially among women.

His messaging connects to a broader trend in right-wing politics: promoting traditional family values and encouraging higher birth rates, often tied to figures like Jordan Peterson and ideas like pronatalism. Critics say this language can echo outdated or harmful views.

New research from the Angus Reid Institute shows Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre's popularity is sinking, especially among women. According to the poll, 60% of people in Canada now have a negative view of Poilievre.

The poll also builds on earlier data from Angus Reid Institute finding that:

“The prospects of a Poilievre government are more likely to induce unease among Canadians, especially women. A majority of Canadians believe the CPC has a ‘hidden agenda’ they won’t reveal until the party is in office.”

Sources: https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025/04/08/Poilievre-Biological-Clock-Talk/

 https://angusreid.org/cpc-jail-bail-axe-tax-cbc-poilievre-policies-health-care/

https://cultmtl.com/2025/04/prospect-of-poilievre-as-pm-found-to-induce-unease-among-canadians-especially-women/ 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/pierre-poilievre-biological-clock-1.7499220

Poll: Poilievre’s Popularity Falls as Women Report Unease Over PM Prospect

Key takeaways:

• Pierre Poilievre’s popularity is dropping across Canada, with 60% of people now holding an unfavourable view of him. Women and younger Canadians are even more concerned, with negative views rising to 63% and 66%, respectively.

  
  

• Many Canadians feel uneasy about the idea of Poilievre becoming Prime Minister. This concern is strongest among women, who are the most likely to say they are uncomfortable with his leadership.

  
  

• A growing number of people believe the Conservative Party is hiding parts of their agenda. The poll shows a clear lack of trust, with a majority saying the party won’t be honest about its plans until after the election.

  
  

New research from the Angus Reid Institute shows Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre's popularity is sinking, especially among women. According to the poll, 60% of people in Canada now have a negative view of Poilievre. That number is even higher among women—63% say they view him unfavourably. Among younger Canadians (ages 18 to 34), it rises to 66%.

The poll also builds on earlier data from Angus Reid Institute finding that:

“The prospects of a Poilievre government are more likely to induce unease among Canadians, especially women. A majority of Canadians believe the CPC has a ‘hidden agenda’ they won’t reveal until the party is in office.”

Sources: https://angusreid.org/cpc-jail-bail-axe-tax-cbc-poilievre-policies-health-care/

https://cultmtl.com/2025/04/prospect-of-poilievre-as-pm-found-to-induce-unease-among-canadians-especially-women/