In hockey, the captain isn’t just a leader—they’re the one who rallies the team, sets the tone, and fights for every inch of ice when the game is on the line. As Donald Trump prepares to be sworn in as U.S. president, threatening 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods, Team Canada needs a captain who can stand up to him with skill and grit. That captain isn’t Justin Trudeau—it’s Pierre Poilievre.
Here’s why Poilievre is the star player of Canadian politics, while Trudeau is skating on wobbly ankles.
Poilievre connects with Canadians—and speaks their language
Poilievre has been warning Canadians about inflation long before it spiked. While Trudeau ignored the issue, Poilievre hammered home the dangers of runaway spending and reckless monetary policies, warning they were overheating the economy. He was proven right—and Canadians know it.
That same foresight and directness are what Canada needs to push back against Trump’s tariffs. Poilievre has already made it clear that he will “fight fire with fire” when dealing with the U.S. His clear, unifying message resonates not just at home but also with middle-class Americans, who would feel the sting of rising prices on gas, groceries, and housing if tariffs take hold.
Meanwhile, Trudeau’s recent surprise trip to Mar-a-Lago yielded little more than a photo opportunity. Trudeau said his discussion with Trump was “excellent” but there’s no sign of progress—no deal, no concessions, and no plan. Canadians are left wondering whether Trudeau is more concerned with optics than outcomes.
He’s a disruptor who can go toe-to-toe with Trump
Trump thrives on disruption and respects strength—and Poilievre has built his political career on cutting through the noise and standing his ground. He doesn’t cater to the Laurentian elite or recycle tired talking points. Instead, he focuses on uniting Canadians around the issues that matter most: affordability, jobs, and security.
This no-nonsense approach resonates with families, tradespeople, and small business owners, and positions Poilievre as uniquely capable of engaging with Trump. Both men challenge the status quo, and Poilievre’s ability to connect with Trump’s anti-establishment streak gives Canada a fighting chance in any negotiation.
Trudeau’s out of gas—and everyone knows it
Canada’s premiers know what’s at stake—and they’re worried. Trump’s tariffs could devastate industries and communities across the country, yet Trudeau remains a damaged, tired leader whose best days are far behind him. He’s like a fourth-line winger who’s lost the room and can’t keep up with the pace of the game.
Trudeau’s Mar-a-Lago meeting underscores his weakness. While he made the trip, he returned empty-handed, offering Canadians no reassurance or tangible results. Negotiating with Trump requires the leadership and focus of a Sidney Crosby in 2010, not a captain who’s been tuned out by his own team.
Poilievre is already playing to win
While Trudeau hesitates, Poilievre is skating full speed ahead. He’s already opposing federal policies like the Online Streaming Act and the Online News Act, which have alienated U.S. lawmakers and put Canada in a weaker negotiating position. He’s shown that he understands the art of the deal, tying federal housing dollars to faster building permits and cutting the GST on new rental construction to tackle affordability.
These are the kinds of forward-thinking plays Canada needs when facing off against Trump. Poilievre isn’t just reacting to the game—he’s dictating its terms. His promise to “fight fire with fire” shows he’s not afraid to defend Canada’s interests aggressively, standing firm against unfair policies and uniting Canadians in the process.
Poilievre knows how to win Trump’s respect
Trump may have written The Art of the Deal, but Poilievre is living it. He knows how to speak to the concerns of middle America while protecting Canada’s vital interests. As a disruptor himself, Poilievre can connect with Trump’s style of negotiation in a way Trudeau never could. He’s not afraid to push back, but he also knows how to frame solutions that benefit both sides.
The bottom line
Trump’s tariffs are a full-speed collision coming right at Canada. Trudeau’s surprise trip to Mar-a-Lago might have been a well-meaning effort, but it produced no results and highlighted the lack of a strong strategy. We need a leader who can take the hit, push back, and fight for every inch of ice.
Trudeau has shown time and again he’s not that leader. Poilievre, however, has the vision, the strategy, and the toughness to lead Team Canada to victory.
In a game this critical, you don’t put your fourth line out against the opposition’s star player. You need your captain. And right now, that’s Poilievre.
