LOCAL
Pierre Poilievre Critiques Liberal Budget: Calls for Economic Reforms
By Chad Dashly, The Current Newsroom | Published on November 14, 2025
Poilievre’s Economic Vision: Lowering Housing Costs and Government Spending
In a recent address, Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party, launched a sharp critique of the Liberal government’s budget, emphasizing the urgent need for economic reforms to reduce housing costs and stimulate growth. Poilievre pointed to the excessively long approval processes for major projects, like mines and LNG plants, which take years to start, further hampering Canada’s economic growth.
Poilievre specifically highlighted the inflated cost of housing in Canada, attributing much of the $200,000 increase in housing prices to taxes, permits, and zoning regulations. He suggested that if these barriers were removed, home prices could drop significantly, giving more Canadians the chance to buy a home. “In Vancouver, 60% of the cost of a new house comes from government-imposed fees and taxes,” he stated. “Government needs to step aside and let builders build.”
Canada’s Potential for Economic Growth
Poilievre also discussed Canada’s vast natural resources and how the country should capitalize on them to become the cheapest place in the world to build, grow food, and produce energy. He argued that Canada, with its vast landmass and abundant resources, has the potential to be a global economic leader if it removes bureaucratic barriers to economic activity.
Despite the Conservative Party’s recent challenges, including a defection of one MP to the Liberals, Poilievre remains optimistic. He emphasized the growing support for the Conservative Party, citing that they received 2.95 million more votes in the last election compared to the previous one.
Focus on Youth and Property Rights
Poilievre also touched on the youth vote, noting that young Canadians are struggling with high costs of living and job insecurity. “They are working multiple jobs just to stay afloat, yet they can’t afford a home,” he said. He believes the Conservative message—focused on affordable housing, job creation, and financial independence—is resonating with younger voters.
Furthermore, Poilievre emphasized the importance of protecting property rights in Canada, arguing that the federal government must stand firm in defending fee simple property ownership rights in court. “The courts cannot undermine the basic rights of property holders,” he stressed.
Conservative Policy on Agriculture and Immigration
Addressing Canada’s agricultural industry, Poilievre reiterated his stance on limiting the temporary foreign worker program, arguing that Canadian jobs should go to young Canadians first. He stated that agriculture could benefit from access to skilled foreign workers, but the broader immigration program should focus on helping young Canadians find jobs and build a better future.
LOCAL
Where Provincial Jobless Rates Stood in September
Canada’s national unemployment rate reached 6.5 per cent in September. Explore the full provincial breakdown and regional employment figures from Statistics Canada.
National and Provincial Jobless Figures
Canada recorded a national unemployment rate of 6.5 per cent in September, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Oct. 9, 2026.
Across Western Canada, British Columbia’s jobless rate shifted to 6.4 per cent from 6.5 per cent in August. Alberta recorded a rate of 6.4 per cent, down from 6.8 per cent the previous month, while Saskatchewan dropped to 5.4 per cent from 6.0 per cent. Manitoba’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0 per cent.
In Central Canada, Ontario’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 7.0 per cent from 6.9 per cent in August, while Quebec’s rate reached 6.0 per cent, up from 5.6 per cent.
Atlantic Canada and Regional City Data
In Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest provincial figure at 9.1 per cent, up from 8.6 per cent in August. New Brunswick saw a minor increase to 7.4 per cent from 7.3 per cent, and Nova Scotia rose to 6.3 per cent from 6.1 per cent. Prince Edward Island experienced a decline, moving to 7.3 per cent from 7.9 per cent.
Statistics Canada also tracked seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average rates for major urban areas. However, the agency cautioned that these municipal figures are subject to wide fluctuations due to smaller statistical sample sizes.
LOCAL
Who Is Running in Your Riding for the 2026 BC Election?
Check the full list of official candidates who have filed nomination papers for Kamloops, Fraser-Nicola, Cariboo-Chilcotin, and Salmon Arm-Shuswap ridings.
Candidates Confirmed Across Five Regional Ridings
Nomination papers have been officially submitted by individuals seeking election as local Members of the Legislative Assembly in the upcoming 2026 BC election.
In Kamloops Centre, voters will see a five-candidate field consisting of incumbent Peter Milobar for the BC Conservatives, Annelise Beach representing the BC Greens, Rocky McAfee for OneBC, Thaelo Proctor running as an Independent, and Mike Wisla representing the BC NDP.
To the north, the Kamloops-North Thompson constituency features incumbent Ward Stamer of the BC Conservatives, alongside Kory Clark running for the BC NDP and Deborah Friesen for OneBC.
Contests Set for Fraser-Nicola, Cariboo-Chilcotin, and Salmon Arm-Shuswap
In the Fraser-Nicola riding, incumbent Conservative Tony Luck faces challenges from Jason Leboe of the BC NDP and Patrick Mitchell of the BC Greens.
The Cariboo-Chilcotin ballot includes incumbent Lorne Doerkson running for the BC Conservatives, Kathryn Askew representing the BC NDP, and Douglas Gook representing the BC Greens.
Meanwhile, five candidates are contesting the Salmon Arm-Shuswap riding. Incumbent David Williams represents the BC Conservatives, joined on the ballot by Gloria Morgan for the BC NDP, Barbara Presch for OneBC, Denise Reimer for CentreBC, and Jed Wiebe for the BC Greens.
COMMUNITY
How Central Okanagan Residents Can Avoid Costly Household Plumbing Damage This Thanksgiving
RDCO warns Central Okanagan residents to dispose of Thanksgiving cooking fats in the garbage to avoid costly sewer blockages and plumbing damage.
Preventing Sewer Overflows During Holiday Gatherings
As Central Okanagan families come together for Thanksgiving between Oct. 10 and Oct. 12, regional officials are offering guidance to keep home plumbing systems safe. Disposing of fats, oils and cooking grease improperly remains the primary reason sewer lines block and overflow throughout the community.
Kit Caufield, Manager of Engineering Services for the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO), explained that grease accumulation inside pipe infrastructure restricts wastewater flow over time. Caufield noted that “Over time, grease builds up inside pipes, restricting wastewater flow and creating problems not only for homeowners, but across the entire sewer system. These blockages can damage household plumbing, result in costly repairs and interfere with critical wastewater infrastructure, including sewer lift stations,”
Proper Waste Disposal Guidelines
To prevent damage to both private plumbing and public infrastructure like sewer lift stations, the RDCO recommends catching leftover food particles using a drain basket or strainer. Residents should pour warm cooking fats into a covered tin container, which can be lined with a cooking bag if intended for reuse. After the grease cools and hardens, the container should be sealed and discarded in the trash.
Additionally, fatty foods such as salad dressings, mayonnaise, and other sauces must be thrown into the garbage rather than rinsed down sinks. For larger quantities of used cooking oil, individuals can take up to two 20-litre pails to the Glenmore Landfill for recycling, though commercial amounts are prohibited. Further details can be found on the RDCO website.
Where Provincial Jobless Rates Stood in September
What New Brunswick’s Latest Unemployment Figures Mean for Your Community
Who Is Running in Your Riding for the 2026 BC Election?
How Central Okanagan Residents Can Avoid Costly Household Plumbing Damage This Thanksgiving
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