"This is the Canadian promise right here," Poilievre declared, gesturing to Apollo's three generations of leadership, from founder Tony Paris, who started with "$50 in his pocket," to his son Angelo and grandchildren Marco and Sophia. The Conservative leader praised the company's innovative approach, noting their use of recycled denim for insulation materials. Turning to the audience, he praised sheet metal workers.

"Your local union is doing a great job of fighting for your wages," Poilievre said, adding that Apollo Sheet Metal "works very closely, hand in hand with its union partners to get great wages, a safe workplace and to get things done. That is the Canadian way." 

The campaign stop quickly pivoted to address President Donald Trump's recent announcement of 25% tariffs on Canadian automotive imports, set to take effect April 2. 

"My message to President Trump is, knock it off," Poilievre stated firmly. "Stop attacking America's friends."

The opposition leader's choice of venue carries particular significance as the sheet metal industry faces potential impacts from the tariff dispute. The sector has seen increased union activism and political engagement across North America, with organizations like SMART (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers) playing pivotal roles in labor discussions.

Poilievre outlined an aggressive economic independence strategy, promising to "rebuild" Canada's economy within four years of Conservative leadership. His plan includes expedited pipeline construction, expanded LNG facilities, and reduced interprovincial trade barriers — all aimed at decreasing reliance on U.S. markets.

The Conservative leader also unveiled a "Canada First TFSA" proposal, allowing Canadians to contribute an additional $5,000 annually to tax-free savings accounts when investing in Canadian companies. This initiative, he argued, would help repatriate investment capital and strengthen domestic manufacturing, including shops like Apollo.

"We will never be the 51st state," Poilievre declared, "but we can once again be friends with the United States if the president reverses course on these disastrous tariff threats."

In a recent interview, Trump expressed a preference for dealing with Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney over Conservative challenger Pierre Poilievre.

"It's easier to deal actually with a Liberal," Trump told Fox News, criticizing Poilievre's approach as "stupidly" confrontational. The statement comes as both Canadian leaders vie to position themselves as defenders of domestic industry, including the sheet metal and HVAC sectors currently caught in the crossfire of escalating trade tensions.

Carney, speaking at a press conference following a meeting with premiers, announced an ambitious plan to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers by July 1 — a policy long championed by his Conservative rival. It reflects an increasing alignment between both of Canada’s major parties.

"We need to prioritize our energy independence and export capabilities," Carney added, echoing sentiments typically associated with Conservative platforms. 

In a significant pivot that has even further blurred party lines, Carney's government announced the end of Canada's federal consumer carbon tax earlier this month — taking the wind out of the sail of Poilievre’s “axe the tax” slogan while still maintaining a carbon tax on heavy industry.

The upcoming April 2 tariff deadline looms large over the campaign, with both Conservative and Liberal leaders "running against" President Trump and promising robust responses to protect Canadian industry. For the sheet metal and HVAC sectors, the convergence of Liberal and Conservative economic policies might offer a silver lining amid trade tensions: regardless of the election's outcome, the industry appears poised for domestic expansion and reduced regulatory barriers.