Canada’s business leaders have united behind Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s economic agenda.
Thirty-three current and former executives of some of Canada’s largest companies, under the banner Friends of Free Enterprise Canada, have signed a joint letter outlining some of Canada’s economic challenges and expressing their support for Poilievre as the next prime minister.
The letter laments stagnant productivity and slow economic growth, urging political leaders to embrace a free enterprise agenda.
The letter outlines five key priorities for the next Canadian government: supporting free enterprise, eliminating regulatory barriers, restoring fiscal discipline, reforming the tax system, and developing Canada’s natural resources.
Specifically, the signatories urge the government to reduce red tape and outdated regulations, control government spending, lower taxes to boost competitiveness and attract talent, and develop Canadian oil and gas.
“Canada’s challenges are real, but so is our potential. We have spent our careers investing in this country because we believe in it,” reads the letter.
It concludes with a call for Canadians to support Poilievre and his party, endorsing his plan to restore Canadian prosperity in light of U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent measures to impose tariffs on Canadian goods.
“That is why we are supporting Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party of Canada. They have a clear plan to address these issues and to get Canada back on track. It’s because of President Trump’s threats that Pierre’s plan makes so much sense,” reads the letter.
Notable signatories include Fairfax Financial’s CEO and COO Prem Watsa and Peter Clarke, Colliers Canada CEO Jay Hennick, former Scotiabank CEO Brian J. Porter, Sleep Country Canada CEO Stewart Schaefer, Mattamy Homes CEO Peter Gilligan, and more.
Conservative spokesperson Sam Lilly said that the party appreciates the endorsement and that Poilievre’s economic plan is being recognized as the best path forward for Canada.
“Pierre Poilievre’s Canada First Economic Action Plan is being recognized as a strong plan to lower taxes and eliminate red tape to unleash our industries and bring home powerful paycheques for our people and a thriving economy,” reads the statement.
“After the Lost Liberal Decade, the Carney Liberals’ keep-it-in-the-ground policies, high taxes, and suffocating regulations have pushed half a trillion dollars of investment out of our country and made our economy weak and dependent on the Americans.”
On the campaign trail, Poilievre announced that were his party to form government, he would cut the tax rate for the lowest quintile by 15%, create a “national energy corridor” pre-approving energy projects, cut government regulations by 25%, and more.