Last week, I visited Great Britain and Germany to promote free trade among free nations to secure unbreakable leverage for Canada.
In London, that meant meeting with key legislators and building relationships to promote our great country and our plan for Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to join a partnership rooted in shared values, culture and history.
CANZUK would remove barriers, lower prices and boost wages through regulatory presumption of equivalence (because a product that is safe in Halkirk, Scotland is safe in Halkirk, Alberta), introduce a skilled mobility framework, integrate defence procurement and create a critical minerals and energy compact.
I outlined these and other ideas in my keynote address to the Margaret Thatcher Lecture hosted by the Centre for Policy Studies: defending free markets and sound money, and promoting Alberta’s world-famous beef.
Anaida and I also paid our respects at London’s Canada Memorial, erected in remembrance of the 110,439 Canadians who made the ultimate sacrifice during the two World Wars.
Then, in Berlin, where liberty and socialism faced off during the Cold War, I continued promoting my Team Canada message.
I told German political and business leaders how Canada has the amazing natural resources they, and other allies, need–from liquefied natural gas to uranium to potash, that will strengthen both of our countries.
I was also inspired by my visit to the LNG import terminal in Wilhelmshaven, which was built in just 194 days in 2022: a testament to what our own energy sector could accomplish if the government got out of the way.
All of this was done to promote Canadian natural resources and build a stronger country at home, so we have unbreakable leverage abroad.
This week, I’ll head to the United States, fighting for Canadian workers and promoting tariff-free trade with our partners south of the border. Here too, I’ll be a relentless advocate for our energy sector and its potential to benefit both our countries.
This matters for Canada, benefits the world, and is what I promised when I said I would provide national leadership on local issues!
For Albertans, and all Canadians, this should be something we can all get behind. As we face a more dangerous world, we need to bind together with like-minded allies, and do everything we can to strengthen our common Canadian home.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this column, or if you require assistance regarding a Federal Government program, you are encouraged to send an email to pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca or call 1-800-665-4358.
