Elon Musk is back at it again, stirring the pot with his support for Canada's pro-Bitcoin opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre. With the country's federal election on the horizon, Musk’s thumbs-up has added a spicy twist to Canada’s political scene.
It all started when Musk took to social media, sharing a video of Poilievre passionately discussing inflation and fiscal policy, calling his stance “perfectly articulated.” Now, Poilievre, the Conservative Party leader, is being eyed as the top contender to fill Justin Trudeau’s shoes, especially after the Prime Minister announced his resignation following his finance minister's sudden exit.
Poilievre is no stranger to the crypto world. He's been waving the Bitcoin flag for a while now, making appearances on digital asset podcasts and pushing for Canada to become the “blockchain capital of the world.” His love for crypto isn’t just talk; he’s walked the walk, paying for shawarma with Bitcoin during his 2022 campaign. He even made a crypto donation to support animal welfare and promised to scrap taxes on crypto donations if he lands the Prime Minister gig.
But Poilievre's crypto enthusiasm doesn’t stop there. He’s been vocal about giving Canadians the freedom to use alternative forms of money, like Bitcoin, and hasn’t shied away from critiquing the country’s central bank. He’s pointed fingers at its policies, blaming them for Canada’s inflation woes and pitching Bitcoin as a potential savior.
And it seems like Poilievre's got quite a fan base lined up, with prediction markets giving him a whopping 89% chance of victory in the next election. Meanwhile, his nearest competitor, Chrystia Freeland, trails far behind.
In a related twist, Vancouver's City Council has taken a bold step towards embracing crypto. Mayor Ken Sim's proposal to hold Bitcoin in reserve and accept crypto for city services has passed, despite some opposition. Sim’s not stopping there; he’s pledged $10,000 worth of Bitcoin to back the initiative, arguing that ignoring Bitcoin’s performance over the last 16 years would be downright reckless.
So, whether you’re a crypto enthusiast or just love a good political drama, Canada’s political landscape is heating up, and all eyes are on Pierre Poilievre as the crypto community rallies behind him. Keep your popcorn ready; this is one election season that promises to be anything but dull!
