‘Free markets and free trade between free nations to lower costs, boost incomes, build new bonds with old friends, and make us stronger at home with unbreakable leverage abroad,’ Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wrote on social media. / **TWITTER PHOTO**

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is proposing a new anglophone alliance between Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, excluding the United States.

Speaking in London at the Institute of Directors on Tuesday, Poilievre revived a proposal previously supported by past Conservative leaders for Canada to strengthen ties with Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. He called for a 'modern CANZUK' partnership focused on trade and security among the four countries, all of which share the Westminster parliamentary system.

“The time has come for a pact that opens our economies, removes barriers, recognizes credentials, expands skilled labour mobility, and deepens capital markets,” he said.

He suggested the four countries adopt automatic recognition of professional credentials, so doctors, nurses, or engineers licensed in one country could practice in all four. “If someone can perform heart surgery in Sydney, Australia, they should be able to do so in Sydney, Nova Scotia,” Poilievre said.

He also proposed a “regulatory presumption of equivalence,” meaning products approved in one country would automatically be approved in the others. “If a drug or auto part is safe in London, England, it should be safe in London, Ontario,” he said.

The alliance would create a “skilled mobility framework” to ease the movement of high-skilled workers, integrate defence procurement to strengthen capabilities and save taxpayers money and set up a critical minerals and energy pact to support defence needs and lower costs for allies, he said.

Supplying Canadian liquefied natural gas to Britain is also on his agenda, with a proposal to expedite permits for “private-sector terminals and pipelines needed to meet Britain’s future LNG demand.” Currently, there are no LNG refineries on Canada’s east coast, but he has pledged to move quickly to approve such projects.

The four countries are already linked through the Trans-Pacific Partnership, but he pointed out “tariffs are not the only or even the biggest barrier to our trade,” and that trade is often slowed by regulations, standards, product approvals, licensing and procurement rules.

Poilievre framed the initiative as a way to strengthen the four countries economically and militarily while protecting workers at home. “CANZUK will be stronger than the sum of its parts. Together, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom will each be stronger at home, with unbreakable leverage abroad,” he added.

He said the alliance could help lower taxes on work, investment, homebuilding, and energy, remove barriers to domestic production, and ensure jobs go to domestic workers.

“We must unblock the production of all forms of energy, including oil and gas. We must remove all governmental barriers to home building so every youngster can own a home and pay off a mortgage. We must ensure jobs go to our people, not to low-wage temporary foreign workers.”