Poilievre talks taxes, samples seal in Iqaluit
Monday’s rally in Iqaluit attracted the party faithful and others curious to learn more about Conservative plans
Attendees of the “Axe the Tax” rally at the Frobisher Inn on Monday wait to hear from Conservative party Leader Pierre Poilievre. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)
Scrutiny over the Conservatives’ ability to address northern issues was at the forefront of party leader Pierre Poilievre’s “Axe the Tax” rally in Iqaluit on Monday.
“I’m looking for change in the next election, it’s a healthy balance in our system,” shares Stephen Johnson who attended the Conservative party’s “Axe the Tax Rally.” (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)
Seats were filled as around 40 people attended the noon-hour event at the Frobisher Inn’s conference centre.
Prior to Poilievre’s arrival, Conservative Party supporters mingled with others interested in learning more about his policies as a mix of country, rock and pop music played in the background.
“A lot of the information so far has been projected on the national front, so I’m looking to hear further details into anything specific to Nunavut,” said Stephen Johnson, who lives and works in Iqaluit.
Bryan Hellwig, a self-described longtime Conservative and owner of Southeast Nunavut Co., which operates Northern Collectables, said “better business representation and less taxes” is what the Conservative party needs to deliver to better reach northern communities.
“We don’t need to be taxed to death all the time. The economy sucks right now, and a lot of businesses are struggling, especially after COVID,” Hellwig said.
“We need a government that realizes what’s happening instead of turning a blind eye like [Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau does.”
Others were drawn to the rally by curiosity about Poilievre’s plan to end the federal carbon pricing and rebate program, which critics charge is really a carbon tax.
Attendees Bryan Hellwig and Dave Charlesworth at Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s “Axe the Tax” rally in Iqaluit on Monday. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)
“I’m not a political tactician, so part of the reason I’m here is to hear more details on the alternatives to the carbon tax,” said Iqaluit resident Dave Charlesworth.
“I believe in climate change and its impact on the North, so something’s got to change. But not everyone agrees.”
Poilievre was greeted by enthusiastic applause when he entered the room at 12:30 p.m., introduced by British Columbia MP Bob Zimmer, the Conservative northern affairs critic.
Taking the floor, the Conservative leader quipped that he hoped to “seal the deal,” after mentioning that he would be trying seal meat, muktuk and other “country foods” following the rally.
Dressed casually in an “Axe the Tax” T-shirt, Poilievre was applauded when he called for the repeal of Bill C-69, a federal act that amended the way major energy and resource projects are reviewed, and pledged to “build, build, build” infrastructure in the North using federal lands.
The loudest response came when Poilievre addressed Canada’s opioid crisis and reiterated his campaign promise to offer more recovery services including sweat lodges and other Indigenous forms of healing.
There was no question-and-answer session after he spoke, but attendees were able to interact with him during a photo session.
Many left the conference room carrying Conservative party posters bearing messages like “protect the hunters,” “Axe the Tax” and “common sense.”
Among them was Benjamin Heming, who works for NCC Development Ltd. Before arriving at the rally, Poilievre toured that company’s construction site in Iqaluit.
“Poilievre is a good speaker who brings people together with his words,” said Heming. “I like his policies on keeping the guns with the hunters, as well as axing the tax because I filled up my tank the other day and it was highway robbery.”
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre signs a poster for one of his supporters after a rally in Iqaluit on Monday. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)
Poilievre’s efforts to cancel Bill C-21, a firearms control bill seen by some as a precursor to banning all hunting rifles, was featured prominently during his speech at the rally.
“There’s going to be a strong calling for Conservatives after Pierre Poilievre brought these issues to light,” Heming predicted.
Asked how the Conservatives can win the next federal election, which is scheduled for October 2025, Johnson said he believes having a “candidate that northerners are going to resonate with” will help.
“It’s got to be someone who can connect with the younger population, who understands that our needs are different and unique from the south, and someone who is recognizable within the region,” Johnson said.
I don’t see one Inuk at the rally. Also, protecting the hunter is pointless. Inuit hunting rights are protected under the Nunavut Agreement, which is constitutionally protected. One worker is identified as a staff member. Does he represent the company?
Yes our hunting rights are protected under the Nunavut Agreement. What’s not protected is the type of rifles/guns we use. Semi-autos are banned by liberals, these are the best rifles when dealing with bears on close contact. So hunting right are protected, but not entirely.
Wrong. Semi-automatic rifles are not entirely banned. Depends on the calibre. Hunting rights and what tools you use to exercise those rights are two totally different things. Not having a high calibre semi-automatic rifle does not impede your right or ability to hunt. They certainly make our communities less safe though.
Right. I hunt, so I know what impedes my hunts and what doesn’t. Its not rifles that are making our communities less safe. Shall we continue to treat the symptom and ignore cause?
I mean, treating the symptoms and ignoring the cause is par for the course in Nunavut. But, like the other commenter said, if you need more than 5 rounds to down an animal, thus wanting a high calibre semi-automatic rifle instead of bolt-action or shotgun (depending on what you’re hunting), maybe it’s your poor aim that’s impeding your hunting dude.
Ummm, no, semi-auto rifles are not banned. Some are, and many are not. Magazine sizes are limited, but if you can’t kill what you need with five rounds, then you are doing it wrong.
Were you looking for someone wearing caribou and seal skins and carrying a harpoon?
Thank goodness these folk are a minority of Nunavut. Let’s keep going NDP to keep our pride and be free from the wing nut convey touting voices in the back country.
Election day is going to be very difficult for you, I suggest stocking up on a few gallons of cope. You will not regret it.
I assume you haven’t been following the Nunavut choices since Leona left. Otherwise you would understand the poor quality of NDP/Liberal candidates and the lack of any support that has come to Nunavut since.
If you believe this will change with a NDP/Liberal candidate in the near future, I would have to question the quality of that whacky tobaccy you’re smoking.
The last few election’s in Nunavut the Con’s have finished last and it ain’t switching anytime soon. You can move to the prairie provinces if you want a Con MP as we like our NDP MP. We tried the Con job and it did not work out very will for us.
The quality of Nunavut MPs Since Leona was ELECTED, you mean. We all remember her flipping through the funny pages while Bernie Valcourt spoke for her while MPs debated the Nutrition North program in Question Period.
Nunavut needs to choose a good conservative candidate. NDP and Liberal want nothing but to keep socialist status quo welfare checks coming in keeping the population numb and dumb. The era of begging for handouts for reasons from 50 years ago needs to come to an end and nunavut rebirth 2.0 is when inuit can truly be the face of nunavut
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Hey “Mit”, show me a single Inuk who attended that rally.
I’ll wait.
How do you know there were no Inuit there?