Why Canada Could Turn Pro-Bitcoin

Justin Trudeau might step down soon, opening the door for a more Bitcoin-friendly government in Canada.

According to several reports, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may soon step down, potentially opening the door for a more Bitcoin-friendly government.

As reported by Reuters, Trudeau is “increasingly likely to announce he intends to step down,” although no final decision has been made. A source familiar with the matter told the news agency that the decision could come as early as Monday, adding that Trudeau’s departure would leave the ruling Liberal Party without a permanent leader ahead of a looming election deadline.

Trudeau's rumored exit coincides with polls signaling a notable decline in Liberal support. According to CBC News’ Poll Tracker, the official opposition Conservatives led by Pierre Poilievre have built a commanding 23% lead, with projected 44% of the vote going to them if an election were held today. Notably, Poilievre has voiced pro-Bitcoin sentiments in the past and might usher in policies more welcoming of digital assets.

BTC Inc CEO David Bailey, who was instrumental in “orange pilling” US President-elect Donald Trump’s, has fueled the rumors, stating via X today that “Pierre Poilievre will deliver Canada a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.”

Bailey and other experts on X note that this echoes Trump’s own plans: during his campaign at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference, he spoke of establishing a “national stockpile” for seized BTC and even floated the idea of paying off the US national debt with BTC.

Poilievre's history with BTC advocacy is well documented. He once argued that Bitcoin could enable Canadians to “opt out of inflation,” at a time when 1 BTC hovered around $40,000. Since then, the the BTC price has surged, reaching a high of over $108,000 at one point a – 170% surge. Poilievre famously showcased his support for Bitcoin by purchasing shawarma with Bitcoin in March 2022, quipping that “you’ll never believe how [a shop owner] outsmarted government to beat inflation. Today, I'm buying lunch from him—and bringing my Bitcoin wallet.”

He also posted via X in April 2022: “The Bank Of Canada says Bitcoin-ers lack financial literacy. This from the same people who promised we'd have “deflation” right before inflation hit a 30 year high. It is our central bank that is financially illiterate,” as well as “Money-printing deficits make our wages “go up in smoke”. #JustinFlation. We need sound money again—and also the freedom for buyers and sellers to choose Bitcoin and other technology.”

Despite BTC's strong performance, Poilievre faced criticism from the Liberal Party and other political adversaries. Critics labeled his stance a political wedge issue, prompting him to go relatively quiet on the matter.

However, in a November 2024 speech, Poilievre argued that Canadians “should be free to decide whether or not they want to use Bitcoin,” adding that he had no desire to “ban Bitcoin” like some other nations. He has also been a vocal opponent of Central Bank Digital Currencies, once stating emphatically, “There will be NO Central Bank Digital Currency.”

While no official plans or policies have been confirmed, the possibility of a BTC reserve appears closer than ever for Canada. If Trudeau does step down and Poilievre becomes the next prime minister, many in the BTC sphere believe Canada could follow in the footsteps of emerging pro-BTC policymakers on the global stage.

At press time, BTC traded at $99,318.