Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is heading to New York Wednesday, and will stay to participate in ceremonies commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Friday, according to the Conservative Party of Canada. CTV News first learned about the trip, when a senior Conservative source revealed the Conservative Leader was expected to depart for New York Wednesday night. According to a news release from the party, Poilievre plans to take part in a number of interviews “on major business networks,” while in New York, sending a message to “appeal for free trade and co-operation” in the face of a heightened trade war. “Canada’s biggest asset in the present trade dispute is the goodwill of Americans. We must save Canadians’ money and jobs, by leveraging the goodwill of the American people for freer trade. Both countries can be safer, richer and more affordable if we trade freely,” reads a quote from Poilievre in the release. New Canadian retaliatory tariffs came in force Tuesday. That night, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders banning Canadian products and imposing new tariffs on certain Canadian goods. According to a senior Conservative source, Poilievre’s trip is being carried out with the blessing of the Prime Minister’s Office. Poilievre wanted to go to the United States earlier, but the PMO advised at the time that the timing made such a visit unhelpful, and Poilievre’s office heeded the advice. CTV News has reached out to the Prime Minister’s Office for comment about this, but did not receive an immediate response. The Conservative Party says in honouring the victims of 9/11, “Poilievre will highlight the contributions made by Canadians and Americans together in the aftermath of the terrorist attack.” The trip will also include some meetings with “representatives of investors and businesses.” Further details and a specific itinerary were not immediately available. Poilievre also travelled to the United States in March of this year, with stops in Michigan, Texas, and New York, but not D.C.
