Hello, welcome to Politics Insider. Let’s look at what happened today.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said he’s not changing who he is or who he is fighting for in a speech in which he also sought to push back against a sentiment in some political circles that Prime Minister Mark Carney is more of a Conservative than a Liberal.
Stephanie Levitz reports that Poilievre told the Canada Strong and Free Network conference today that he is fighting against a club of Liberal elites who dominate Ottawa and are setting up a system that rewards their friends and businesses at the expense of everyday people.
“All of this to enhance their privilege, and that is exactly why they want to stop and change me,” he said.
Poilievre said those elites are saying conservatives should just join their club, accept the status quo and blend in.
“But that would mean leaving behind the record-smashing 8.3 million Canadians who voted for us. They voted for us to fight for them,” he said.
“And some people have accused me of being a fighter, but that’s because some things are actually worth fighting for.”
In other news, Steven Chase reports that the federal government is shuttering a problem-plagued Arctic naval facility, two government sources say.
The project was originally conceived as a demonstration of Canadian sovereignty in the North.
The Nanisivik Naval Facility on northern Baffin Island was first promised in 2007 by the Harper government, but cost-cutting resulted in the project being downgraded to a summer filling station for naval ships.
Hobbled by delays, cost increases and serious corrosion on the deepwater port’s jetty, where ships are meant to tie up, it never commenced operations.
The sources said Nanisivik is now being shut down because it would cost too much to operate and is no longer required.
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks during the annual Canada Strong and Free Network in Ottawa on Thursday.Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press
What else is going on
Mexico brings major trade mission to Canada as USMCA review approaches: The mission is Mexico’s largest to Canada in recent memory, bringing more than 240 companies to Toronto and Montreal over two days for more than 1,800 business-to-business meetings.
Three Canadians isolating at home after hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship: Health Minister Marjorie Michel and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand say the federal government is working with partners, as well as the World Health Organization, on necessary measures to keep Canadians safe.
Jason Kenney calls on federalists to step up in Alberta separation debate: The former Alberta premier said those in favour of keeping Alberta in Canada need to “get their act together” and be more vocal in the face of a separatist movement campaigning to leave the country.
Carney to continue using Trudeau-era advisory board on Senate appointments: Prime Minister Mark Carney said he will continue to rely on the independent advisory board created by Justin Trudeau to suggest Senate appointments but gave no timeline for filling a growing number of vacancies.
Pension funds should invest more in Canada, Senate finance committee chair says: In an interview with The Globe and Mail, Senator Claude Carignan said the model – known as a dual mandate – has worked well in Quebec with the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.
On our radar
Arbour installed: An installation ceremony for Louise Arbour as Canada’s 31st Governor-General will be held on June 8, according to the Canadian Heritage department.
Prime Minister’s Day: Carney chaired the weekly cabinet meeting and, in the afternoon, met with Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, who is visiting Ottawa.
Also today, Carney’s office said he spoke with Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, expressing Canada’s concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and reaffirming Ottawa’s opposition to settler violence and settlement expansion in the West Bank.
Party Leaders: In Ottawa, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre spoke to the Canada Strong & Free Network conference. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May was at the House of Commons and also attended a reception marking the 10th anniversary of the Vyshyvanka Day Ukrainian holiday on Parliament Hill and in Canada. No schedules released for other party leaders.
Ministers on the Road:
In Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson made an announcement on investments for the Small Craft Harbours Program
In Toronto, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly participated in a fireside chat at the Public Policy Forum’s 2026 Canada Growth Summit. Also, in Scarborough, Joly visited Centennial College to highlight investments for college-led applied research.
In Toronto, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne participated in an armchair discussion at the Canada Growth Summit. In the evening in the Montreal-area community of Westmount, Champagne attended a Liberal fundraising event at a private residence.
McGuinty in the Middle East: National Defence Minister David McGuinty is travelling to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar from May 13 to 14.
Quote of the Day
“The club of Liberal elites who dominate this town and every microphone in it. They dominate the political panels and talk shows. They control the airwaves. They spend millions of dollars on attack ads that are unregulated outside of an election period in order to stay in power. All of this to enhance their privilege. And that is exactly why they want to stop and change me.” - Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, delivering a keynote speech today to the Canada Strong and Free Network conference in Ottawa.
Question period
Thirty-nine years ago this week, this fixture of Canadian currency was introduced. What is it?
Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Perspectives
Alberta’s separatism fire may pave the way for a better immigration system
Whatever the intentions of Ms. Smith, who has reaped political benefits from fighting Ottawa, giving a province more control over immigration is not as radical as it might seem. Some good might come out of Ms. Smith’s playing with constitutional fire.
— Christopher Worswick is a professor of economics at Carleton University and an external fellow of the Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration, University College London.
Christine Fréchette has scrambled Quebec politics
In less than a month, she has set a fresh new tone at the top, dispensed with a series of files that had bedevilled her predecessor and undertaken a charm offensive to woo back voters who fled the CAQ for the Parti Québécois or the Quebec Liberal Party.
— Konrad Yakabuski, Columnist
Finally, Ontario is cracking down on drug use on public transit. But then what?
The issue is the degeneration of our public spaces, and the effect is the slow erosion of our social contract. The more people see our rules and laws openly being violated, the less faith they have in our authorities and institutions.
— Robyn Urback, Columnist
Go deeper
- Follow along for our stories on Canada-U.S. relations as news develops
- Get the latest insight and analysis from our political opinion writers
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The answer to today’s question: The Loonie.