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Political appearances are as much a part of the Royal St. John’s Regatta lakeside traditions as the Crown and Anchor, and this year has proven to be no exception.
Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre was a notable name even among the elected representatives at Quidi Vidi Lake. He took questions from reporters and casually spoke with people who were out for the annual summer event.
Poilievre arguably had good reason not to be in St. John’s. The countdown is on to Aug. 31 byelections in the ridings of Beaches-East York, Ont.; Chicoutimi-Le Fjord, Que.; and North Vancouver-Capilano, B.C.
So why did he come?
“Well this is one of the most important cultural and historic events in all of Canada. And I also want Newfoundland and Labrador to know that they are important to the Conservative Party,” he told CBC News.
He said he’s visited the province maybe 10 times but has never attended the regatta.
Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was in St. John’s Wednesday for the Royal St. John’s Regatta. He spoke with CBC News about the significance of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, and details of a discussion with Premier Tony Wakeham.
Flanked by Terra Nova-The Peninsulas MP Jonathan Rowe, Long Range Mountains MP Carol Anstey and Central Newfoundland MP Clifford Small — and with no other federal leaders to contend with — Poilievre took the opportunity to talk, “affordability, affordability, affordability.”
He said, to help with the cost of living, the federal Conservatives want to see the federal gas tax gone until next year, for example. Looking longer term, he promoted doing more to incentivize home building.
Poilievre was asked about a meeting with Premier Tony Wakeham and said Wakeham was elected on a platform that included bringing down the cost of living, “and I share that goal.”
Poilievre’s visit to the province will continue into Thursday.
For his part, the premier said any time a federal leader takes the time to come to the province, “it’s a good day.”
He also said the conversation with Poilievre was a positive one, touching generally on what Newfoundland and Labrador can offer Canada.
Wakeham spent time walking the lake, stopping at concessions and watching races with family.
“It gives me a chance to talk to people. A lot of times you don’t get a chance to sit down and have a quick conversation with people,” he said.
Joanne Thompson, Liberal MP for St. John’s East, also spent some time at the lake, at one point handing out medals.
“It’s just nice to have a day when I can be home, I can see people I haven’t seen for a long time. The races are great,” she said.
Thompson was asked questions tied to her role as federal fisheries minister, including why people on the south and west coasts of the island weren’t able to take part in the food fishery seven days a week.
“Regrettably, the stocks are not returning the way we had hoped,” she said, standing by her earlier decision.
Others spotted tackling the dual job of shaking hands with a smile and grappling with some pointed questions from constituents included provincial Liberal Leader John Hogan. Members of the provincial NDP were also at their usual booth, decked out in orange.
City of St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen and fellow council members were also in attendance.
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