Pierre Poilievre says young Canadians 'have already sacrificed enough,' warns Liberals want to normalize a 'permanent reduction in our quality of life'

On Thursday, Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre took aim at a Prime Minister Mark Carney, who recently said during a speech at the University of Ottawa that transforming the Canadian economy "will take some sacrifices."

Poilievre, speaking at a "No More Sacrifices" youth event in Toronto, declared "Mr. Carney, the young people in this room and across this country have already sacrificed enough!"

Poilievre acknowledged the many ways young Canadians are struggling, and said "This young generation ... has sacrificed more than any generation since the second world war. There is no doubt in my mind that all of you are working harder and longer for less than your parents, and probably your grandparents."

He questioned if the purpose of Carney's speech was to "lull you into accepting a worse quality of life." "My worry is that they are going to try to get Canadians to accept this permanent reduction in our quality of life, so that their electoral strategy to win reelection is not one of hope, but one of deliberate hopelessness."

He continued, "My message to you here today is that you don't have to accept a reduction in your quality of life, or in the expectations of your future. You deserve better than this, and we will deliver better than this."

Poilievre said that Canada needs hope "Now more than ever." "Our message tonight is exactly the opposite of what youth heard in that sombre, dystopic speech from Mark Carney. Our message is: you don't have to live like this. You deserve better. Canada's youth are the best, and the brightest in the world."

He concluded with an optimistic vision of a Canada that could be "the freest, the richest, and the best country on earth."