Poilievre blasts Sean Fraser's record as housing, immigration minister at N.S. rally

Pierre Poilievre attacked Central Nova Liberal incumbent Sean Fraser's record as both housing and immigration minister as the Conservative Party hosted a "Canada First" rally Wednesday night in Trenton, N.S.

Speaking to a packed room at a community centre in Fraser's riding, the Conservative leader blamed the longtime MP for immigration policies that saw Canada's population swell and housing costs soar as demand outstripped construction. 

"Then as a punishment for that failure, that catastrophic mistake, they then move him over to make him housing minister where he gives us the single most unaffordable housing market in the history of the country and among all G7 nations," Poilievre said as the crowd booed in agreement and waved signs that read "Change."

Fraser served as immigration minister from 2021-23 before assuming the housing portfolio, a position he held until last December. He wasn't planning to reoffer in Central Nova — a riding he's won three times before — but changed his mind when he said Liberal Leader Mark Carney called and asked him to reconsider.

"We thought that maybe [Fraser] had a little bit of shame, he was going to go into retirement, as you would think a catastrophic record of ruining both immigration and housing, he would want to disappear quietly into obscurity," Poilievre said.

"But then Mark Carney said the kind of guy who ruins housing and immigration is exactly the kind of guy I need back in my cabinet."

Poilievre blasts Fraser

Poilievre said if elected, his government would build 2.3 million homes over five years. He used this point to further dig at Fraser.

"We have to address the other side of the equation, and I'm sorry that it might be politically incorrect to say it, but we have to reverse the nightmare that Sean Fraser and the Liberals caused the immigration system," he said to cheers.

He cited media reports from 2024 of more than 20 international students crammed into a basement apartment in Brampton, Ont. 

"That's the kind of insanity the Liberal government has unleashed, particularly your local Liberal MP. And we're going to reverse that," added Poilievre, who spoke for about 45 minutes.

Prominent Conservatives show support

Prominent Nova Scotia Conservatives showed their support at the rally, including former cabinet ministers Peter and Elmer MacKay.

Poilievre shared stories of the kindness the MacKay family has shown the area over the decades, from providing free lumber to a family in need to giving frozen turkeys to single mothers and widows on Thanksgiving. He spoke highly of Peter MacKay, who he said mentored him as a young MP.

"He was a great minister in our government, he gives so much wisdom and he reminds us all of how good things were in the past and how much better they can be in the future. Peter MacKay is another reason for us to have hope," Poilievre said.

Poilievre also praised Central Nova Conservative candidate Brycen Jenkins, who he said would carry on the "great MacKay legacy."

Jenkins, a real estate agent, told the crowd that Poilievre was "all about affordability."

"You wouldn't believe the amount of young families that come to me and say, 'Brycen, we've done everything, we've went to school, got a post-secondary education, got a great job like our parents and we can no longer afford to buy a home,'" he said.

"I wish that was a unique story, but we hear that all the time, so that's something we're looking to change."

Crowd arrives hours ahead of event

People began showing up for the rally hours ahead of the event, including Jamie Campbell, who travelled from a Halifax-area riding to hear Poilievre speak.

"I like his ideas. He seems quite sincere and he's been pretty sick and tired of what's been going on for the last 10 years," Campbell said ahead of the rally. "I like it when it's in the House, he has good questions to ask."

Danielle Wakely, who drove more than 2½ hours from Greenwood, N.S., said it was important to show up in person so she could hear what Poilievre had to say for herself.

"Obviously everybody wants a more affordable Canada and I think he's the candidate to do that for us," she said.