Poilievre calls lobbyists 'useless,' but still headlines fundraisers they attend

Pierre Polyam says he’s fighting for the working class. We need more boots, not just more suits, right? The Conservative leader has criticized elites, says he avoids Bay Street and called on corporate Canada to fire their lobbyists in this recent op-ed disdain. He shared with the Business Association too, My experience with the corporate lobbyists in Ottawa, the main groups there have been that they have been utterly useless. In advancing any common sense interests for the people on the ground. But several executives and dozens of lobbyists have attended Conservative fundraisers headlined by Polyev. ACBC News analysis found there have been more than fifty of these events since Polyf became leader in 2022, including at homes in some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Montreal and Toronto, golf courses and exclusive clubs like this private wine cellar in Toronto’s financial district. Events where attendees donate up to $17125.00 to the Conservatives. He is cosplaying as a working class guy. This is somebody who is the elites that he rails against. These fundraisers have a long history in Canadian politics and are allowed. Justin Trudeau’s Liberals do versions of them too, but move them to publicly available spaces after facing criticism. There’s a bit of mythology around fundraising events. People picture, you know. Cigars and Brandy, Snifters and mahogany. You know, furniture. This former communications director for the Conservatives says lobbyists don’t get the kind of access at these fundraisers that people might think. It usually consists of a mini speech followed by an endless stream of grip and grin, shake hands, smile, click. A spokesperson for the Conservative Party says Polyiev makes himself available at events across the country, and that there’s no need to attend a fundraiser to get access. The Conservative spokesperson also said that out of 200,000 contributions to the party last year. The average donation was $175. Ashley Burke, CBC News, Ottawa.