Conservative rally in Saskatoon sees huge turnout ahead of federal election

Lines of cars, trucks and buses stretched for kilometres in just about every direction outside a Saskatoon warehouse on Thursday night, as what appeared to be at least 2,000 people turned out to hear Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre speak during a campaign rally.

It was Poilievre’s first visit to Saskatchewan since the election was called on March 23.

Read More:

• Federal party leaders trade jabs as election heads into final days
• Western alienation plays key role for Sask. in 2025 federal election campaign
• The final stretch: Evan Bray’s political panel on key issues

The rally was held at a large warehouse on the city’s northwestern edge, near SaskTel centre.

Looked like about 2,000 or so boisterous people turned out this evening to hear @PierrePoilievre speak at a Saskatoon rally. It’s the @CPC_HQ leader’s 1st visit to Saskatchewan since the election was called. @CKOMNews @CJMENews pic.twitter.com/AfoJqTkxuc

— Lara Fominoff (@LaraFominoff) April 25, 2025

Poilievre’s wife Anaida was introduced by Conservative house leader Andrew Scheer. She spoke about her background as an immigrant, moving to Canada with her family from Venezuela at the age of eight, taking out a student loans and working her way through university, then getting a job in Ottawa and buying her first home.

“We had to fight for everything, but we knew that by working hard we could get ahead. So that’s what we’re fighting for – to restore the Canadian promise,” she said as she introduced her husband.

“It feels like coming home,” the Conservative leader said, recalling that his adoptive parents were married in Saskatoon.

And Poilievre didn’t waste any time taking some shots at the Liberals.

“There’s an emergency. Do we have a firefighter in the house? We have a firefighter? OK, Mark Carney’s pants are on fire again today,” Poilievre joked, as he accused the Liberal leader of not telling the truth about a telephone call he had with U.S President Donald Trump last month.

Like Carney’s rally in Saskatoon on April 9, Poilievre’s visit was briefly interrupted by Palestinian and 51st State protesters.

“Get them out of here,” he told security.

The Conservative leader spoke for about 45 minutes about his platform, touching on the carbon tax and accusing the Liberal Party of “hiding” the tax by cutting it at the gas pumps.

“Make no mistake, the carbon tax is still the law of the land,” Poilievre said. “It’s just that they made an executive decision to stop collecting it for one month, until Canadians vote.”

Poilievre also talked about his plans to lower income taxes, increase sentences for violent and repeat offenders, and repeal “soft on crime” laws, including Bill C-75.

“Paul Bernardo, he’s going back to a max pen, and he won’t come out until he leaves in a box,” Poilievre shouted to applause.

The Conservative leader also promised a revitalized Canadian military and 50,000 spaces for drug treatment, and pledged to cut $50 billion in government “waste,” while reducing the federal deficit.

Poilievre is expected to remain in Saskatoon on Friday morning, with a news conference scheduled for 9 a.m.

Canadians head to the polls on Monday.