Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre accused the Liberal government of spitting in the face of Canadians struggling through a cost-of-living crisis by purchasing a multi-million dollar luxury condo for a top diplomat in New York.
Last week, it was revealed that Global Affairs Canada had purchased the condo for $9 million in the heart of New York City for the Consul General in New York.
In a social media post, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre slammed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the purchase while Canada is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. He also promised to fire the current consul general to New York, former journalist Tom Clark.
“Trudeau spent $9 million on a luxury ‘Billionaires’ Row’ condo for his Liberal media hack, Tom Clark, whom he made Consul General—whom I will fire,” wrote Poilievre on X.
“Life has never been better for Trudeau’s friends, and it’s never been worse for working Canadians.”
In the accompanying video, Poilievre’s office spliced a video of Trudeau talking about making housing more affordable against a tour of the luxury New York condo, claiming Trudeau is “not worth the cost.”
The condo is located at 111 West 57th Street, a luxury condo building described as the skinniest skyscraper in the world. The building is filled from top to bottom with multi-million dollar condo units costing as much as $50,000,000.
The 3,600 square-foot condo features three bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, and is outfitted with some of the finest amenities and built with luxury materials.
The listing shows that the condo features white Macauba stone floors, a powder room with jewel onyx finishes, a wet bar with Cristallo Gold quartzite countertops and backsplash, a bathroom clad in Italian white Venato marble, and more.
Global Affairs Canada defended the decision to purchase the luxury apartment, claiming the current residence for the Consul General was purchased back in 1961 and is in desperate need of expensive repairs. GAC claims Canadian taxpayers will be spared around $2 million, as the condo is smaller and more economical.
Poilievre’s promise to fire Clark comes as the long-time broadcastor has faced criticism from Conservatives for around a decade.
Clark, a long-time broadcast journalist, was appointed by Trudeau as Canada’s consul general in New York last year, a position meant to service Canadians residing in several American states.
Back in 2014, Clark was scrutinized for an interview he had done with Liberal Leader Trudeau on a plane in which he asked the future prime minister softball questions, including what shampoo he uses.
Clark had also moderated the official debate for the 2022 Conservative leadership election, in which Clark’s performance as moderator was widely panned for asking questions not relevant to voters, especially Conservative party members.
