Bob Zimmer, a Conservative Member of Parliament incumbent running in Canada’s federal election in the northeast B.C. riding of Prince George–Peace River–Northern Rockies, has long been known for his socially conservative views and strong advocacy for resource development.

But since 2016 he has also been known to show his support and praise for Donald Trump. Zimmer tweeted “congratulations” when Trump was selected as the Republican nominee for president. And after Trump won the election against Hillary Clinton, Zimmer released a statement saying he looked “forward to working with President-elect Trump and his government as we facilitate trade deals that will be mutually beneficial for both countries.”

In early 2017, Zimmer attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., posting to social media that he was, “Honoured to be with POTUS.”

However, as Canada approaches a federal election on April 28, Zimmer appears to have shifted his overt praise for Trump to align more with Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre’s narrative of a “Canada First” approach to dealing with U.S. tariffs. Zimmer seems to be distancing himself from his previous admiration for conservative policies south of the border.

Zimmer posted on Instagram in April that “Canada needs to be in a position of strength to make us less reliant on the United States.” 

Tracy Calogheros is a long-time resident of the Prince George area and ran against Zimmer for the Liberals in 2015 and 2019. Calogheros isn’t running this election. The last time a Liberal was elected in the riding was 1972.

Over the past few months Calogheros has definitely seen a shift in the political rhetoric coming not just from Zimmer, but Conservative candidates across the country, some of whom in the past have been supportive of Trump.

“You get Trump starting to threaten to take over Canada and threaten our sovereignty, calling us a 51st state,” Calogheros said. “And that’s why now you have conservatives and Trump pretending that they never got along. You can’t trust an about-face like that.”

Local Concern About Zimmer’s Trump Views

Zimmer’s previous support for Trump didn’t go unnoticed locally at the time.

The Prince George Citizen’s managing editor wrote an opinion piece in 2016 arguing that “Trump is a political dead end.” The piece went on, “Hopefully Zimmer doesn’t think that the Conservative Party’s next leader, the one that will lead them in the next federal election against Justin Trudeau’s Liberals, needs to Make Canada Great Again.”

After Zimmer attended the prayer breakfast in 2017 and shared it on social media, one Prince George local responded on Facebook: “One of our MPs. Wtf is he thinking? I’m embarrassed for us. In no way is this an honour.” 

That previous support could be a political liability in Canada’s current federal election. The Conservative Party has adopted the “Canada First” policy, emphasizing the protection of Canadian workers and industries in response to escalating trade tensions with the U.S. The policy outlines measures to counter potential tariffs and secure Canada’s economic interest.

But this about-face of support for MAGA sentiments only came after a reversal of political fortunes for the Conservative Party of Canada, which is trying to scuttle a fourth Liberal term in Ottawa under former central banker, Mark Carney, who now leads the Liberal Party of Canada.

At the beginning of the year, when former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was still at the helm of the governing Liberal party, his approval rating was one of the lowest in Canadian history.

But following Trudeau’s resignation and a short Liberal leadership race, which Carney won and assumed the position of prime minister, the Liberal Party’s political fortunes have shifted at the expense of Poilievre’s Conservative Party, largely due to the cozy relationship and endorsements from key Trump allies including Elon Musk.  

Before the election was called the Conservatives were riding high in the polls, some polls even suggested that Poilievre and the Conservatives could form Canada’s first super majority, more than 20 points ahead of the Liberals.

However, after Trump’s second inauguration in January, his suggestions that Canada should become the 51st state and the launch of trade tariffs on Canadian goods, the long-time political alignment between Canadian and U.S. conservative movements backfired, skyrocketing support for the Liberals under Carney.

Even the Economist now gives the Liberals an 86 percent chance of winning the election, “thanks to Trump.”

Although the overall support for the Conservatives has dropped significantly since earlier this year, with many polls now projecting a Liberal majority, it might not matter for Zimmer’s supporters.

“The standing joke is that you could paint a rock blue and it would get elected here,” Calogheros said. “There hasn’t been a Liberal elected here in my lifetime.”