Poilievre Attacks Carney on Affordability, Stellantis

The Conservative leader criticized the Liberal government's handling of rising costs and the sale of Stellantis's Brampton assembly plant.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Economic Policy

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a steel-frame industrial silhouette beside stacked geometric blocks in deep red and cream, evoking Canadian manufacturing and cost-of-living strain. — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre attacked the Carney government's handling of rising food and energy costs as Stellantis sold its Brampton assembly plant to Roshel, affecting nearly 3,000 workers. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Pierre Poilievre criticized the Carney government's response to rising food and energy prices, citing more than 2.35 million food bank visits in one month. The remarks came as Stellantis sold its Brampton assembly plant to armoured vehicle manufacturer Roshel, affecting nearly 3,000 workers.

Why it matters

The affordability debate and the fate of Brampton's auto workforce are central issues for Canadian households and the country's manufacturing base. Carney has promised to protect the jobs of Stellantis workers as the government faces sustained political pressure.

Poilievre cited more than 2.35 million food bank visits in a single month, a figure he presented without a prior-period comparison. Nearly 3,000 workers are affected by the Stellantis sale, but the source does not say how many will keep their jobs under Roshel.

The players

Pierre Poilievre

Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and a longtime member of Parliament who has built his platform around affordability and cost-of-living complaints.

Mark Carney

Prime Minister of Canada and former governor of the Bank of England who leads the Liberal government and is travelling to Europe and Asia for trade meetings.

Stellantis

Multinational automaker formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group, which is divesting its Brampton, Ontario assembly plant.

Roshel

Canadian armoured vehicle manufacturer that agreed to buy the Stellantis assembly plant in Brampton.

The details

Poilievre made the remarks to reporters in Calgary on Thursday, referencing Carney's 'elbows up' rallying cry from the trade war with the United States. He said the Conservatives plan to scrap fuel taxes and get immigration under control.

November 11, 2026: Mark Carney travelled to Dublin to meet European leaders.
November 12, 2026: Poilievre attacked Carney's government in Calgary.

Political Context

Poilievre's critique draws on the 'elbows up' nationalism that defined Canada's response to the United States' trade war, now turned toward domestic cost pressures. The Conservatives' proposals to scrap fuel taxes and tighten immigration are their counter-agenda to the Liberal government's record after 11 years in power.

Rising food and energy prices are squeezing household budgets, and the food bank figures cited suggest growing strain on families. Workers at the Brampton plant face uncertainty about their jobs during the change in ownership.

The takeaway

Affordability concerns are driving the political agenda in Canada, and the outcome of the Brampton plant sale will be a practical test of the government's job-protection promise for nearly 3,000 workers.