OTTAWA — Conservative MPs brushed off questions Wednesday about Pierre Poilievre’s criticism of the RCMP, as opposition parties demanded that the Conservative leader apologize for calling the force’s leadership “despicable.”
Speaking ahead of the party’s weekly caucus meeting, House Leader Andrew Scheer deflected questions, saying Canadians are more concerned about the economy. “There’s a five-alarm fire going on in this country with jobs and inflation — that’s what we’re going in to talk about,” he told reporters.
Poilievre made the controversial comments during a recent YouTube interview, where he accused the RCMP of covering up for former prime minister Justin Trudeau in connection with the Aga Khan vacation scandal, claiming Trudeau “would be in jail” if not for the Mounties’ protection.
When asked Wednesday if he agreed with Poilievre’s comments, Conservative MP Todd Doherty replied, “Of course,” before criticizing reporters for not focusing on issues like unemployment and the opioid crisis.
MP Andrew Lawton downplayed the remarks, calling them “little, out-of-context things from a podcast,” while emphasizing that Poilievre has the full support of caucus.
Poilievre’s office issued a statement Monday clarifying that his criticism was aimed specifically at former RCMP commissioner Brenda Lucki, not the rank-and-file officers. The statement accused Lucki of “scandals, deception, and political interference” that benefited the former Liberal government.
Conservative MP Michael Barrett said Poilievre’s clarification “offered a precision that was very important,” while MP Garnett Genuis described him as “a strong leader defending men and women in uniform.”
“The Liberals have no credibility lecturing anyone on standing up for front-line officers,” Genuis added.
MP Greg McLean said Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government should focus on holding Trudeau’s previous administration accountable instead of attacking Poilievre.
Despite mounting calls from the Liberals, Greens, and NDP for an apology, Conservative MPs showed no sign of distancing themselves from their leader, choosing instead to pivot to the economy — a sign the party intends to stand firmly behind Poilievre.