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Pierre Poilievre has dedicated the past two years to advocating for substantial changes within Canadian politics.
However, throughout the intense 36-day federal election campaign, it became clear that he struggled to enact change within himself.
On a night filled with unexpected developments, the Liberals, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, were projected to secure a fourth consecutive mandate, defying predictions that had painted them into a corner at the start of 2025.
During the Conservatives’ election night gathering at a conference center by Ottawa’s Rideau Canal, the mood shifted from initial excitement over unexpected support in Atlantic Canada to disappointment around 10 p.m., as major networks quickly called a Liberal victory. The atmosphere in the sparsely populated room grew somber as supporters tracked poll results on screens displaying Conservative branding.
As the night wore on into early Tuesday morning, emotions fluctuated alongside polling data.
Chants of “Bring It Home” resonated whenever the Conservatives appeared close to overtaking Carney’s Liberals.
Disbelief rippled through the crowd as it became evident that the Liberals were gaining momentum.
What was happening with the Bloc Québécois? Where was the NDP’s support? Was history really repeating itself after a decade of Liberal governance?
As the clock approached 1 a.m., Poilievre took the stage to address the nearly empty hall, signaling his intention to continue leading the Conservatives into the next election, despite still trailing the Liberal candidate in his own Carleton riding.
“The promise made to me and all of you is that anyone, regardless of background, could achieve greatness through hard work, ultimately having a modest home on a secure street,” Poilievre told his supporters. “My mission in politics is and will continue to be to restore that promise.”
He expressed his commitment to fight for Canadians, stating, “It will be an honor to continue advocating for you and championing your cause.”
Poilievre did extend his congratulations to Carney on his electoral success, and in a notable shift from earlier, he tempered the crowd’s booing of the prime minister.
“No, no. We’ll have ample opportunities to debate and disagree, but tonight we unite as Canadians. Our work continues,” Poilievre asserted.
The night was not supposed to conclude in this manner.
Despite an improved share of the popular vote and an uptick in seats, the Conservatives still fell short of forming the government.
Following Poilievre’s decisive victory in the party’s leadership contest in September 2022, various polls indicated a tilt in public support toward the Conservatives, often showing them with a double-digit lead over Justin Trudeau’s Liberals.
If a week can seem lengthy in politics, the last two years must have felt like an eternity for supporters of the Liberal party. They had managed to secure power through an alliance with the NDP, but signs of shifting tides loomed large.
The political landscape further shifted dramatically when Donald Trump was re-elected in the U.S.
Shortly after the election, Chrystia Freeland resigned from her position as deputy prime minister, citing a loss of confidence in Trudeau, events that led to his departure on January 6. Subtle remarks by Trump about Canada becoming the 51st state now echoed as a serious taunt rather than a whimsical comment from an unpredictable leader.
In contrast to these changing conditions, Poilievre remained unchanged. Faced with increasingly aggressive rhetoric from the U.S. president, he did not adapt his political strategy or introduce new policies. Instead, he persistently criticized the carbon pricing and capital gains taxation changes—issues that Carney had already set aside.
Even up until the end of March, Poilievre was unwavering in his response to Trump’s threats, insisting on solutions that mirrored his pre-election proposals.
“What we need to counter Donald Trump are the very steps I advocated even before his tariffs were threatened,” Poilievre stated shortly before listing out his traditional policies.
Political analysts anticipated a shift in Poilievre’s narrative when he might finally address the urgent national concern—Trump’s influence on U.S.-Canada relations. Speculation peaked around the party’s mid-February Flag Day rally, but it concluded with only minor adjustments to his usual messaging.
National polling indicated a decreasing trend for the Conservatives.
Later in March, a bold intervention from Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s campaign manager highlighted the urgent need for a campaign refocus. Kory Teneycke voiced that the Conservative Party should steer clear of appearing overly “Trump-y.”
“These aren’t mere ripples; the impact of Trump is substantial, akin to a tsunami devastating everything in its path,” Teneycke remarked in light of recent developments. His comments catalyzed open discussions among traditionalists concerned about the campaign’s direction, fostering a sense of urgency.
Reports emerged from various news outlets revealing rising tensions within party ranks, indicative of an ideological rift influencing the Conservative campaign.
For such an intense internal conflict to surface amidst a crucial campaign phase was surprising. Poilievre, while downplaying these concerns, insisted on leaving the final decision to the voters.
In the closing days of the campaign, he unveiled the Conservative platform, which relied heavily on policies developed before Trump reshaped global politics. Struggling in the polls, he then attempted a new angle by referencing a little-known government report as evidence of Canada’s prospective troubles under Liberal rule.
The report, which was originally created to encourage forward-thinking solutions, was misrepresented by Poilievre as a dire forecast for the country’s future in 2040, insinuating it would lead to increased inequality and food scarcity.
This strategic move appeared reminiscent of earlier, successful tactics; yet, with noticeable shifts in voter sentiment, questions lingered.
Historically, the Conservative party has faced its share of leadership challenges after election losses. Following the 2019 setback, Andrew Scheer was ousted swiftly, and Erin O’Toole met a similar fate post-2021, driven by party factions concentrated in Western Canada.
Despite receiving strong initial support from the grassroots apparatus, Poilievre’s leadership now faces scrutiny after losing a significant advantage in polls to an inexperienced Liberal leader.
Poilievre himself has been known to act decisively against party leaders for far less. As the Conservative Party introspects, big questions loom: How has Canada—and the global landscape—transformed, and is the Conservative Party equipped to change alongside it?
Source
globalnews.ca