Clause clash – iPolitics

Hello politicos!

Welcome back to Campaign Countdown, our now daily newsletter devoted to covering everything about the 2025 federal election.

Here’s our recap of the day it’s been on the trail. Want real-time updates? Check out iPolitics each day for our live blog.

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Enough chit-chat, let’s get to the news!

Campaign Digest

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre started the second last week of the campaign by explicitly stating his intention to use the notwithstanding clause of the constitution to bypass the court decisions that would obstruct what he has proposed as the “biggest crackdown on crime in Canadian history.”

More specifically, during a campaign stop in Montreal, Poilievre promised to “give judges back the power to sentence multiple murderers to consecutive prison sentences without parole eligibility beyond 25 years,” which was then followed by an accelerated version of his now-familiar argument that Liberal leader Mark Carney is just like his predecessor, Justin Trudeau.

After opening the floor for questions from journalists, Poilievre was asked if he believes Supreme Court decisions have any weight, and he assured the room — in French and in English — that he respects court rulings and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which is why he’ll use section 33 of that same charter “to protect law-abiding Canadians against the dangers that are spreading everywhere in our streets.”

He also delivered a strong defence of both the right of Jewish people to live in safety and freedom, including “cracking down on hate-based vandalism” and “violence targeted at places of worship,” and also came out in support of the right of people to wear visible religious symbols.

Another journalist wondered if he might use the notwithstanding clause in “other areas,” and Poilievre says he’d do so on issues of “criminality,” but not to “take away” the rights of Canadians.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney also spent the day in la belle province, where he visited the Bombardier factory in Dorval, Que., to outline his plans to overhaul defence procurement by modernizing existing regulations, establishing a “Bureau of Research, Engineering and Advanced Leadership in Science” and helping defence businesses expand into international markets.

When asked how a Liberal government would fix the current procurement system, Carney launched into a slightly more expanded explanation of exactly how the new agency would set up would streamline the process. He also flagged the need for Canada to “diversify” its “reliable partners,” and again points to Europe as an example thereof.

As predicted, Carney was also quizzed over the now-infamous button prank involving Liberal staffers planting fake merchandise at a recent conservative conference in Ottawa. He categorically declared it to be “unacceptable,” and “cannot happen again.” (He also noted that he was unaware of it.)

Meanwhile, shortly after Poilievre’s announcement, a journalist asked Carney if there was any scenario in which he would invoke the notwithstanding clause. He didn’t say no, but he certainly seemed to be leaning in that direction, and he warned that “politicizing” certain issues just leads to “more politicization.” He also made the case that being “tough on crime” also requires “being smart on crime,” including “gun crime,” and pointed out that Poilievre has consistently voted against measures to tighten gun laws.

And just a reminder — it’s debate week. Stick with us on Wednesday and Thursday for live coverage of the French- and English-language debates.

Polling talk

Do the Conservatives have the momentum?

As detailed in the Morning Brief, the Conservatives are closing the gap in the latest Ipsos poll. That survey has the Liberals leading with 42 per cent, down four points from last week and the first time since the election began that the party has lost ground. The Conservatives are up two points at 36 per cent.

And then a Mainstreet Research poll has the Conservatives actually leading the Liberals for the first time in weeks — 44 to 42 per cent.

But it’s worth noting that a new poll from Angus Reid has the Liberals still in front of the Conservatives, with the Grits boasting a 45 to 39 per cent lead.

That’s all from us today. Watch your inbox every day for our latest campaign dispatch as we keep you posted on everything about the 2025 federal election.

Also, send us your feedback and news tips to [email protected].

Take care!