5 Things You Should Know About Pierre Poilievre, Canadian Conservatives and MAGA

Pierre Poilievre says he’s not a MAGA guy. But the record tells a more complicated story.

To be clear, this isn’t my opinion or speculation, what follows are all facts drawn from public statements, reporting, and recorded endorsements.

1. Conservative MPs and Insiders Have Openly Admired Trump

While Poilievre isn't walking around in a MAGA cap, Conservative MP's and insiders have openly expressed their praise for Trump over the years. Back in 2016, MP Marilyn Gladu praised Donald Trump for “restoring freedom of speech to America.” Shortly after Trump was elected in 2016, Manitoba MP Ted Falk stood in the House of Commons and ended his remarks with: “May God continue to bless America — God bless Donald Trump.” In 2021, a photo circulated showing former Conservative Deputy Leader Candice Bergen wearing a MAGA hat.

Then there is of course this pic that has been widely distributed of Poilievre's longtime political advisor and chief strategist (and former common-law partner) Jenni Byrne donning the MAGA cap:

2. U.S. Right-Wing Influencers Love Him

Poilievre has been praised by a long list of American conservative media figures. Ben Shapiro called him a “tremendous politician.” Alex Jones said Poilievre is “dialed into the truth.” Even Elon Musk has shown support, reposting Poilievre’s videos and replying “💯” to endorsements on X.

Others who’ve praised him include Matt Walsh, Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter, Dennis Prager, and Joe Rogan. Some, like Shapiro and Prager, have even joked about Canada becoming part of the U.S.

3. Poilievre’s Platform Aligns with MAGA Talking Points

On issues like online speech, Poilievre has echoed Trump-style messaging. He’s promised to repeal Canada’s online harms legislation, arguing it threatens free expression, when its actual intended purpose is to compel companies like Facebook and Tik Tok to better protect Canadians from online harms. This kind of “anti-regulation” stance lines up with the libertarian, anti-government views held by both Trump and his sidekick Elon Musk.

Poilievre has also adopted Trump-style rhetoric on the economy. He’s framed inflation as the fault of central bankers and promised to fire the Bank of Canada governor, a move that breaks with decades of political convention and mirrors Trump’s attacks on the U.S. Federal Reserve.

And like Trump, Poilievre frequently rails against the media and so-called “gatekeepers.” He’s promised to defund the CBC, criticized journalists as biased, and used populist language to position himself as fighting for “ordinary people” against elites — a core theme of the MAGA movement. It's worth noting that while Poilievre wants voters to think he is just regular average working joe, he's surrounded himself with corporate and lobbying interests, even within the Conservative party's highest ranks.

4. Trump and Poilievre Have Had a Complicated Relationship

Trump has flip-flopped on Poilievre. He once said he looked forward to working with him, calling their views “more aligned.” But when Poilievre started to distance himself, Trump changed his tone, saying Poilievre was “mean” and not a true MAGA guy.

Behind the scenes, reports say Conservative insiders reached out to U.S. officials asking Trump to tone it down — a sign that the Poilievre-Trump connection was starting to become a problem (also a sign that they Conservative "insiders" are closer than we might think to Trump).

5. The Conservatives Still See the U.S. as a Key Ally — Even Now

Even as Trump’s trade threats grow, Poilievre and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith continue to push for deeper economic ties with the U.S. They’ve called for new deals, more pipelines, and closer alignment — despite warnings that Canada’s old relationship with America may be over.

The record shows a long list of links, not just between Poilievre and Trump, but between the Conservative Party and the wider MAGA movement. Whether or not Poilievre wears the MAGA hat, the overlap is there. And Canadian voters are starting to notice.

Pierre Poilievre Said No to Raising Minimum Wage, School Food Programs and a Whole Lot More

Key takeaways:

• Pierre Poilievre has voted against programs that help working families, like affordable childcare, dental care for kids, and school food programs. His record shows a pattern of opposing support for families and low-income Canadians.

  
  

• He has consistently rejected public investments in healthcare, housing, and pensions. Poilievre supported deep cuts to health funding and voted to raise the retirement age and block pension expansions.

  
  

• Poilievre has backed policies that weaken worker protections and limit union rights. He voted for laws that make it harder to unionize, allow replacement workers during strikes, and force unions to reveal private financial data.

This is a list of key votes and public positions taken by Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre. His voting record reflects a consistent pattern of opposing programs and policies aimed at supporting working families, protecting social services, strengthening labour rights, and addressing inequality.

From rejecting affordable childcare and dental care for kids, to voting against climate action, housing initiatives, and healthcare funding, the record shows a politician who has repeatedly sided against public investments in social safety nets, worker protections, and progressive reforms—while endorsing measures that weaken unions and limit rights.

• Voted against raising the minimum wage (2004 - Bill C48)

• Voted against the First Home Savings Account program (2002 - Bill C-19)

• Voted against $10-a-day childcare (2016)

• Voted against school food programs for children (2024)

• Voted against the Canada Child Benefit (2016)

• Voted against dental care for kids (2018)

• Voted against COVID relief

• Voted against middle-class tax cuts (2015)

• Voted against the Old Age Security (OAS) supplement (2021)

• Voted against the Guaranteed Income Supplement (2012)

• Voted against affordable housing initiatives repeatedly (2006, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2018, and 2019)

• Voted to raise the retirement age

• Voted to slash against the expansion of the Canada Pension Plan (2016)

• Voted in support of using replacement workers ("scabs") during strikes (2004 to 2023)

• Voted against environmental protections nearly 400 times

• Voted against aid for Ukraine (2024)

• Voted for a $43.5 billion cut to healthcare in 2012

• Voted for a $196.1 billion cut to funding for surgeries and reducing ER wait times (2023)

• Voted for Bill C-377 – requiring unions to disclose private financial data (widely seen as an attack on unions)

• Voted for Bill C-525 – making it harder to unionize and easier to decertify unions

  
  

Poilievre’s record isn’t just a list of votes—it’s a clear statement of priorities. When given the chance to support families, workers, seniors, and vulnerable communities, he consistently chose not to. While his rhetoric may promise change or claim to stand up for everyday Canadians, the reality is that his actions in Parliament tell a very different story—one rooted in cuts, rollbacks, and a refusal to invest in the public good. As voters consider the future they want, it’s worth asking: whose side has he actually been on?

Main source for this article is: Politics of Exclusion: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s Voting Track Record 2004-2024

Behind Closed Doors: Corporate Lobbyists Are Betting on Poilievre

Key takeaways:

• Pierre Poilievre has attended over 100 private fundraisers with corporate lobbyists since 2022. These events were often held at elite clubs or expensive homes, with ticket prices reaching up to $1,700.

  
  

• Many of the attendees represent powerful industries like oil, telecom, banking, and real estate. Their presence raises questions about who Poilievre is really listening to as he runs for Prime Minister.

  
  

• While Poilievre criticizes lobbyists in public, he meets with them behind closed doors. His actions mirror the same “cash-for-access” politics he once attacked the Liberals for using.

  
  

Pierre Poilievre says he wants to stand up for working people. But since becoming leader of the Conservative Party, he’s also been meeting a lot of corporate lobbyists—behind closed doors, and often at exclusive, high-priced fundraisers.

According to reporting by The Breach, more than 100 current or recent lobbyists have attended Conservative “cash-for-access” events with Poilievre since 2022. These aren’t public town halls or meet-and-greets. They’re private fundraising events, often hosted at elite clubs or multimillion-dollar homes. The cost of entry? A political donation, usually over $200, and in some cases up to the legal limit of $1,700.

The events stretch across the country—from Banff to Toronto to Montreal. Attendees include lobbyists for oil companies like Enbridge and Suncor, telecom giants, banks, retailers, and major real estate firms. In one case, Poilievre attended a fundraiser in Banff with executives linked to five major oil and gas companies.

To be clear, all of this is legal (but that doesn't mean it's right).

Since 2019, political parties have had to report the names of fundraiser attendees when the ticket price is above $200 and a leader or cabinet minister is present. But that transparency also reveals who’s gaining access—and who isn’t.

Poilievre has made headlines with speeches attacking corporate lobbyists. In early March, he told the Vancouver Board of Trade that lobbyists in Ottawa are “utterly useless” and won’t be writing policy under a Conservative government. He said his priority is what’s good for working people, not for executives dining at private clubs.

But The Breach found that many of those same lobbyists have been meeting him—not at the Rideau Club in Ottawa, but at private dinners and receptions in places like the Royal Glenora Club in Edmonton or the Toronto Club, where memberships can run as high as $20,000.

This is a pattern we’ve seen before. When the Liberals were caught doing similar fundraisers, Poilievre criticized them for selling access to the “super-rich.” The Liberals later brought in the current disclosure rules.

It’s no surprise that lobbyists want face time with a leader who could become Prime Minister. And many of those attending Conservative events represent the same sectors that traditionally support the party: oil and gas, mining, retail, and construction. Their goal is simple—make connections now, and hope for influence later.