2025: A Pivotal Year for Canada

2025 is a pivotal year for Canada. Many factors, both domestic and international, have pushed Canada into a new geopolitical position. Before we can discuss the current political landscape in Canada, with regard to the Right Wing and more broadly its potential geopolitical shifts, we must contextualize the origins of its current trajectory.

As the winter of 2021 approached, the COVID-19 pandemic was reaching its end. However, the Canadian government persisted with aggressive lockdown policies and vaccine mandates. Those who chose not to comply with the mandates were restricted from crossing the border, effectively making Canada a closed country for many. The most disaffected were truck drivers, who often crossed the border to deliver various products to their American neighbors. Many drivers opted not to get vaccinated for a range of reasons. The important point is that a large number of workers and truck drivers became disaffected due to these mandates. The disaffected workers soon found themselves amidst a mass movement, which quickly gained momentum across Canada. Several protesters voiced opposition to perceived authoritarianism and corruption by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Some stated they wanted him "out of office," while others said, "This is not an anti-vaccination movement; this is a freedom movement."

It soon became evident that this dissatisfaction was being exploited by the Conservative Party of Canada, which sought to unseat Trudeau’s Liberals or seriously damage their credibility. The movement was rumored to be funded by individuals associated with the American Republican Party and the MAGA movement.

By the onset of 2022, the movement became known as the Trucker Convoy and, later, the Freedom Convoy. From coast to coast, truckers gathered for a grand march on Ottawa. Some ten thousand trucks were reported to have joined the convoy, demanding that Trudeau lift vaccine mandates. Many within the movement also aimed to remove Trudeau from power at this time. Parallels can be drawn to January 6, 2021, when the MAGA movement refused to accept the results of the 2020 U.S. election and occupied the Capitol Building. Further examining the trucker movement, elements of white supremacists and conspiracy theorists infiltrated its ranks, promoting their toxic ideologies. For example, one of the main organizers, Pat King, openly advocated for the Great Replacement Theory, while the group Diagolon called for a white ethnonationalist state.

Both January 6 and the Freedom Convoy can be described as missed opportunities for the left in both Canada and the United States. In the case of the Freedom Convoy, masses of workers rose against the government. But where was the left in this situation? Where was the Communist Party of Canada?

Sadly, like the Democratic Party in the United States, the left in Canada resorted to monolithic value claims. The rising masses were dismissed as uneducated deplorables for not accepting the vaccine mandate. Thus, the left sided with Justin Trudeau’s government at this time. Below is a statement from the Communist Party of Canada regarding the protests:

The Communist Party of Canada views the “Freedom Convoy” as a public expression of the increasingly organized and assertive far-right. The clear links between the organizers of the convoy and far-right networks indicate that this is not a spontaneous working-class demonstration. On the contrary, it is part of a global phenomenon: the rise and mainstreaming of the far-right, demonstrated by strong support (ideologically and financially) from the U.S. far-right and circles close to Donald Trump and the January 6 insurrection.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ended the convoy by enacting the Emergencies Act. The Act gave police extraordinary powers to end border blockades and the occupation of downtown Ottawa by Freedom Convoy protesters, including the potential deployment of the military. By February 19, at least 76 bank accounts linked to the protests, totaling CA$10 million, were frozen under the Emergencies Act. Some were reportedly linked to American donors.

Throughout Justin Trudeau’s tenure, the Conservative Party has failed to produce a candidate strong enough to challenge him. Even during the Freedom Convoy, the Conservative Party leadership lacked the courage to truly challenge Ottawa. In the months following the pandemic, economic challenges set in. The cost of living began to rise, prices of essential goods skyrocketed, and rent in most major cities increased month after month.

In 2022, Russia officially launched its Special Military Operation in Ukraine, leading to a new global confrontation between the forces of imperialism and resistance. Canada aligned itself with the forces of imperialism, donating tens of billions of dollars to Ukraine in its war against the people of Donbass.

As economic woes continued to affect Canadians, a negative shift toward Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government took shape. This culminated in the election of Pierre Poilievre as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada in September 2022. Poilievre, who served as Housing Minister under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, reassured many with his economic experience.

In comparison to Trudeau, whose primary political credential is being the son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Poilievre appeared to be a more capable leader. Poilievre also publicly supported the Freedom Convoy, earning admiration from many involved. Among the left, he was considered the "Canadian Trump" for his populist rhetoric and affinity for traditional values. Indeed, comparisons between the two men are numerous. Such nationalistic trends can be seen throughout the Western world—a so-called return to common sense and a focus on domestic priorities. In Poilievre’s case, his message is "Canada First." During a parliamentary debate between Poilievre and Trudeau, Trudeau accused Poilievre of wanting to "Make Canada Great Again," echoing the famous slogan of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Many on the left have accused Poilievre of exploiting the growing discontent among Canadians, who have become disgruntled by the rising cost of living, lack of housing, and poor job prospects. Rapid immigration in 2023 and 2024, which resulted in a record- breaking 1.2 million new residents, added fuel to a bonfire.

Throughout this period, the Canadian government continued to toe the imperialist line, supporting Ukraine in its war against the people of Donbass through weapons, funding, and military training. Poilievre and the Conservatives, however, were muted and soft-spoken in their support for Ukraine, doing the bare minimum without going above and beyond. This led the Liberals to question whether Poilievre was a true supporter of Ukraine, despite the warm feelings the large Ukrainian diaspora held for him due to his emphasis on traditional values.

Like Trump, Poilievre has espoused anti-globalist sentiment throughout his tenure as leader of the official opposition. He has frequently criticized the policies of the World Economic Forum, which he labeled as "Davos thugs." On February 8, 2025, Poilievre stated:

“This radical globalist experiment by Trudeau is over. Open borders and post-national globalism have not only divided and harmed our country but also destroyed our sense of identity. When I am Prime Minister, I will destroy this globalist agenda and put Canada First.”

Poilievre’s policies have focused on nationalization and industrialization, prioritizing Canada’s national interests over those of the so-called international community. His message has resonated with a majority of Canadians, who feel the Liberals are out of touch with the common person.

This has led to a "blue wave" in polling for the 2025 Canadian federal election, with Poilievre projected to win and realize his vision of "Canada First."

A geopolitical powder keg soon ignited in the south with the re- election of President Donald Trump. Even before his inauguration, Trump made earth-shattering moves to upend the geopolitical landscape. Most notably, he imposed 25% tariffs on both Canada and Mexico, claiming that previous trade deals were unfair and criticizing Canada’s border security policies. After this announcement, Prime Minister Trudeau flew to Trump’s Mar-a- Lago residence to discuss the tariffs. Trump mockingly referred to Trudeau as "Governor Trudeau," suggesting that if the Canadian economy collapsed, Canada could become the 51st state.

Initially treated as a joke, the reality soon set in. Two weeks after the announcement, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Housing Minister resigned, privately stating that they did not believe Trudeau had the ability to stand up to Donald Trump or resist his threats of annexation. The mere words of a president-elect caused a stir in Canada, culminating in Justin Trudeau’s resignation on January 17, 2025. Many crises led to this moment, but the prospect of American annexation undoubtedly played a significant role. In the words of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, "They had the party and I get the hangover."

As Trump persisted in his aspirations for annexation, Poilievre made it clear that Canada would never become the 51st state. He reiterated his "Canada First" policies and commitment to Canadian nationalism. When asked about Poilievre’s strong statements at a press conference, Trump replied, "I don’t know who he is. He may win, he may lose. I don’t care."

What is clear is that Trump’s misguided aspirations for North American unionism have led to newfound unity in Canada. Previously divided by political polarization, culture wars, and debates over Canadian liberal society, Canadians have now united around a common purpose: preserving their national identity and reclaiming their lost sovereignty. Poilievre and the Conservatives have positioned themselves as the only hope to defend Canada from Trump.

Under Trudeau, Canada tiptoed around its southern neighbor, walking a fine line between firmness and diplomacy. As former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau once said, "Living next to America is like living next to a sleeping elephant. Every move is felt by us; every move affects us." The prospect of decoupling from the United States seems impossible, given that 80% of Canadian exports go to the U.S. Such a decoupling would be detrimental to both nations.

However, this situation has led many in Canada to consider diversifying their global alliances, seeking new relationships with Europe, China, and India. Combined with Poilievre’s anti-globalist rhetoric, Canada may be poised to play a significant role in the emerging multipolar world. With Trudeau’s early resignation, the Liberals have been scrambling to rebrand themselves.

There is little chance they will win the upcoming election. A "blue wave" is expected to sweep across Canada, and Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives are likely to take the reins of the Great White North. The question many are asking is whether Poilievre will live up to the hype. Is he a true populist and anti-globalist, or merely a "Davos thug" in disguise? Poilievre has often donned the flag of Israel, pandering to Zionists and the global elite he claims to oppose. This has led to mixed reactions within the fringes of the right-wing movement.

Maxim Bernier, leader of the People’s Party of Canada, has long criticized Poilievre, saying he hasn’t gone far enough. Bernier’s party espouses similar right-populist rhetoric, advocating for a return to common sense, traditional values, and a break with globalism. Bernier is also the only parliamentary leader opposed to supporting Ukraine’s war in Donbass, calling for an end to military and financial aid to Kiev.

The Conservatives have returned with a vengeance, capitalizing on mounting crises to position themselves as the party of stability and national interest. The right has succeeded where the left has failed, winning over the working class and reassuring Canadians that a stable, Canadian future is possible—not a globalist one. In many ways, Poilievre’s rise mirrors that of Donald Trump, campaigning on a mandate to put national interests first and break with globalism. This shift reflects the multipolar world we now inhabit, where Canada is increasingly asserting itself as a key player.

Nicholas Reed

The Revolution Report

Written March 11, 2025