JUST LIKE JUSTIN: Ghost of Trudeau will haunt Liberals in next election, Poilievre says

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OTTAWA — Pierre Poilievre will be running against Justin Trudeau in the next election.

That was the opposition leader’s message during a Thursday afternoon press conference, where he said that even though the PM is promising to step down once a replacement party leader is found, he’ll still be running against his ghost.

“In the next election, I’ll be running against Justin Trudeau,” he told reporters at an Ottawa hotel.

“Whether his name is Justin Trudeau, or his name is Chrystia Freeland, or Carbon Tax (Mark) Carney, or Carbon Tax (Christy) Clark, they will all be Justin Trudeau.”

Trudeau wasn’t rejected by his caucus because his fellow Liberals disagreed with his policies, Poilievre said.

“They said he’s doing a great job, it’s just that Canadians, unfairly, don’t like him anymore — and that unpopularity threatens their power, paycheques and pensions,” he said.

“So, right before an election, the Liberal MPs want to elect another Justin Trudeau, who has a different face. They’re all just like Justin.”

Motions are in the works this week to choose a successor to Trudeau, who on Monday promised to step down as PM and party leader once that process is complete.

Sources in Ottawa told the Toronto Sun that contest may take place as early as March 1, and numerous hopefuls have already tossed in their hat.

Among the favourites are former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney and former BC Premier Christy Clark.

“They supported everything he’s done, and they’ve promised to keep doing it,” Poilievre said. “And if they say otherwise, we know they’re lying, because they would have done so earlier.”

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Poilievre called on Trudeau, while he’s still in power, to do away with the leadership race drama and just call an election.

“He has the legal power to do it, he can do it without his caucus supporting him,” Poilievre said.

“I’m calling on him to walk to Rideau Hall and announce that there’ll be an ‘axe the tax’ election now, so that Canadians can take back control of their lives and their country.”

bpassifiume@postmedia.com
X: @bryanpassifiume