For many it was more than a 4,000-mile journey to Calgary, where the Conservatives gathered for their national convention. BBC reports that nearly 87.5% of the delegates opted to retain leader Pierre Poilievre, despite the fact that the party was soundly defeated during the last general election with him at the helm.
Poilievre’s loss triggered a standard leadership review, and multiple factors contributed to questions of his leadership skills and the party’s unity. According to CBC News, Poilievre lost 20-point lead in the general election which resulted in Mark Carney becoming prime minister. He also lost his seat in Ottawa and was only able to return to Parliament by winning a by-election in Alberta.
Polls also show that he struggles with likeability, which is not helpful as he has not clearly defined the party’s view on President Donald Trump and the U.S. And under his leadership, two Conservative Members of Parliament abandoned the party to join the Liberal Party and have taken up centrist policies under Carney.
Despite that, the party choose to still rally behind him. He delivered a speech before the vote calling on Conservatives to stay united in an “uncertain world,” claiming “a house divided cannot stand.”
Dr. Charles McVety is president of Canada Christian College.
"Staying with Poilievre is both good and bad. It's good because it keeps the party unified, but it's bad because Poilievre refuses to criticize Carney for partnering with Communist China, which is an existential threat to our country," states McVety.
McVety says that, unfortunately, Canada is locked in.
"Mark Carney has an effective majority government. There's not going to be an election here for at least three years. All the speculation on a spring election, it's just complete nonsense. Pierre will be a voice in the wilderness until that election," states McVety.
