COLUMN: On Parliament Hill – Friendship, trade and vision

Former NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair recently described Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s conversation with podcast host Joe Rogan, an “outstanding piece of political communication.” He added that he was “super well prepared” navigating difficult questions with notable skill and ease.

As you may know, American podcaster Joe Rogan, has a global audience of 20 million subscribers on YouTube alone. His podcast provides a platform shaping public opinion across Canada and the United States, featuring prominent figures from politics, entertainment and public life.

When asked about his U.S. visit last week and why he was there, Mr. Poilievre explained he was speaking directly to Americans because public opinion “indirectly” influences policymakers.

To Mr. Mulcair, the trip aimed at communicating the importance of Canada’s relationship with our southern neighbours, was effective. He praised Mr. Poilievre’s speech in NY as, “One of the best political speeches from any political leader on Canada/US relations in a long time.”

Speaking at the Foreign Policy Association in New York, Mr. Poilievre outlined his vision. He highlighted the benefits our two countries have enjoyed historically, echoing JFK’s words back in 1961 that “Geography has made us neighbours. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies.”

Even John F. Kennedy recognized the differences and disappointments “two independent nations”, “co-tenants of the same continent” can experience, even as “heirs of the same legacy”. But with geography, history, economics binding us together, inevitable stresses and tensions can be overcome with a common vision and pursuit.

Mr. Poilievre continued by reflecting on how the two countries’ weave together historically. How we fought side-by-side in the trenches of France and Belgium in the First World War; Our shared and synchronized efforts in the Second World War; the 26,000 Canadian troops who joined the Americans to defeat communism in Korea. Poilievre considered how our countries started NORAD, an alliance to extend joint air defences across North America.

He also noted that the partnership extended beyond defence. After 9/11, 225 American aircrafts emergency-landed 33,000 passengers to our Canadian hospitality. In Afghanistan, 40,000 Canadian soldiers avenged America against the Taliban and Al-Queda. That collaboration brought our soldiers to the most dangerous parts of that country where we lost 158 brilliant Canadian lives.

Economically, the two countries have built an integrated system that benefits both sides of the border. From the St. Lawrence Seaway to modern energy and electricity agreements—such as Quebec’s power exports to New York—the relationship has been defined by mutual advantage and interdependence.

Yet Mr. Poilievre continued to insist that our partnership with the U.S must be renewed in the face of shifting global realities. He noted that in the last 30 years, China has “outworked, outsmarted and outhustled” the west. China’s rise has come at a serious cost to political an economic freedom in the world. That’s why Canada’s own prime minister has called China the single biggest threat to Canada. Consequently, reinvesting and reengaging in our long-held relationship Canada and the US have enjoyed, would allow us to focus on the real threats to our economies and our security—that is, Beijing, Moscow, Tehran, and their proxies.

Central to his argument is that the goal is therefore to promote free trade and to end US tariffs on products like aluminum, autos and lumber, advocating for a new tariff-free auto pact, giving Canada full exemption from Buy America. He wants to restore and renew our two-century friendship and to bring affordability, security, and strength to the peoples of both countries.

As the world’s fourth biggest supply of oil, and the most stable and reliable of all oil-producing countries, like Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Iran, Canada can help.

Mr. Poilievre also proposed the possibility of increasing Canadian oil by two million barrels and how that would not only reduce their reliance on the Middle East but bring down their prices. Right now, the $100 billion of oil that Canada sells to the United States is converted into $350 billion of products. In other words, Canada is not competing with the U.S. for production. Instead, we feed into the U.S. supply chain and in turn they increase the value

Poilievre also noted that Canada’s aluminum and lumber industries are deeply tied to American manufacturing and housing. Canada produces what Americans need. In fact, we produce 10 of the 12 NATO defined critical minerals. Additionally, we control the biggest airspace, seas, and landmass in the hemisphere. We are the global producer of more than 60 minerals and metals and the biggest supply of potash.

That’s why Mr. Poilievre is proposing to establish a strategic minerals and energy resource that would be accessible to tariff-free allies.

The Conservative vision is clear: a stronger Canada – U.S. relationship built on shared history, aligned interest, and renewed economic collaboration. In an increasingly unstable world, our relationship with our closest neighbour is Canada’s most important and strategic assets.