Riding-level results show Poilievre campaign’s ‘capacity to organize and fundraise right across the country,’ say observers
New Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s ability to sign up new party members in key regions right across the country could make a difference in the next federal election, say political observers. Poilievre’s (Carleton, Ont.) riding-by-riding results show he won substantial majorities in every province and territory. The leadership results released by the Conservative Leadership Election Organizing Committee show […]
Poilievre rides a wave of anti-Liberal, convoy anger into Stornoway. Now what?
OTTAWA—Pierre Poilievre got a lot of applause during his victory speech on the night of Sept. 10, but the strongest ovation from the assembled Conservatives came when the new leader talked about axing the Liberal government’s COVID-19 health measures. What made Poilievre’s leadership campaign different was his open appeal to the supporters of February’s trucker […]
The new Conservative king takes his throne
OTTAWA—Canada got two new kings last week. Of course, with the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 8, we now have a new head of state in King Charles III. In a coronation that Charles might envy, Pierre Poilievre donned the crown of the Conservative Party of Canada. In these early moments […]
Finding his voice: Poilievre’s refined tone paves way for transition to broader audience, say politicos
After a landslide victory, missing from new Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s celebratory speech were some of his more controversial proposals and incendiary political slogans, as insiders and experts say his tone is transitioning for a general election audience. Poilievre (Carleton, Ont.) became the Tory leader on Sept. 10 after winning 68.15 per cent of the […]
End of summer brings winds of political change
OTTAWA—The end of summer brings winds of political change. The Conservative Party of Canada has a new leader. There is no doubt the new leader will have some healing to do. Pierre Poilievre’s main rival, former Quebec premier Jean Charest, made it clear during the race that there was no place for extremism in his […]
Poilievre wins Conservative leadership with commanding 68.1 per cent of the points on first ballot, pledges focus on pocketbook issues; party promises unity, downplays division
Seeking to rebuild a Conservative Party that has been relegated to the opposition benches in three straight federal elections, Pierre Poilievre convincingly won the Tory leadership race on Saturday night with a commanding 68.15 per cent of the points on the first ballot. A member of the Conservative caucus since 2004, Poilievre (Carleton, Ont.) was […]
Skating down the middle: Centre Ice Canadians look to ‘take action’ despite trope of ‘malleable’ centrists, with name change as first step
Organizers of the newly renamed Centre Ice Canadians say they will be raising issues that have not been a focus for “any political party with any type of vigour,” as they push back against the idea of centrists being “malleable” or not prone to action. The first step came with the group’s recent rebranding, replacing […]
A user’s guide for what comes after the Tory leadership race
OTTAWA—The six-month-long Conservative leadership race, barring some unforeseen circumstance, ends this weekend. This time next week, they will have their third “permanent” leader in three years. Losing professional hockey coaches have had longer tenures than recent CPC leaders. Will the new leader break the streak of short-termism and hang on for a while? The clock […]
Conservative cohesion is only the first step
On Saturday, Sept. 10, the Conservative Party of Canada will have a new leader. This race has been nasty, brutish, and not-so short, and the post-election tone shift will be interesting to watch. From the moment former leader Erin O’Toole was ejected by caucus as head of the Conservative Party, there has been talk of […]
‘Small army’ on hand to ensure no repeat of 2020 Tory leader vote-counting drama
With the deadline to return Conservative leadership race ballots now passed, the main challenge will be ensuring those hard-fought votes get counted in time for Saturday’s coronation—without a repeat of the 2020 snafu. The Conservatives will announce the final tabulation on Sept. 10, at the Shaw Centre in downtown Ottawa, with event programming beginning at […]
