Canada Conservatives Reaffirm Pierre Poilievre as Leader After Election Loss

TORONTO — Canada’s federal Conservative Party has overwhelmingly voted to retain Pierre Poilievre as its leader, underscoring broad internal support even as the party seeks to regroup after its defeat in last year’s general election.

At a national convention in Calgary, Alberta, party delegates held a required leadership review following the Conservatives’ loss to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party in the April 2025 federal election. Poilievre secured 87.4 percent support in the vote — significantly above the informal benchmark many party insiders had expected — cementing his position ahead of the next campaign cycle.

Rallying the Base

Poilievre, who returned to Parliament after winning a by-election in Alberta in August 2025, used his speech at the convention to emphasize unity and resolve within the party. Delegates responded enthusiastically, with some standing and chanting as he outlined his vision for confronting the Liberal government and Prime Minister Carney in the months ahead.

Political analysts described the leadership endorsement as both a sign of deep loyalty among Conservative members and a strategic choice to present a united front, despite internal tensions that surfaced in recent months when two Conservative MPs defected to the Liberals.

Conservative strategist Amanda Galbraith, a former adviser to ex-Prime Minister Stephen Harper, described the Calgary convention as a source of impetus as the party returns to parliamentary duties. “A resounding endorsement from the party was very good for him and shows unity there,” she said, noting that the Conservatives face significant challenges in expanding appeal beyond their core supporters.

Broader Public Challenges

While Poilievre’s leadership enjoys strong backing within his party, wider public opinion remains more divided. Polling suggests that Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberals hold a substantial lead over the Conservatives among the broader electorate, even as the opposition edges closer in some issue areas.

Abacus Data’s recent survey highlights a deep public split over Poilievre’s leadership style and policy positions, with stark contrasts between how Conservative voters and other Canadians view him — underlining the challenge Poilievre faces in broadening his party’s appeal.

Poilievre’s tenure as leader has often been marked by spirited rhetoric and confrontational campaigning, which have galvanized the party base but at times alienated moderate voters. Analysts note that while his message resonates with rank-and-file Conservatives, bridging the gap to undecided voters will be crucial if the party hopes to reclaim power.

Looking Ahead

As the Conservatives pivot back to Parliament, the emphasis among many party figures is on translating the show of internal support into electoral gains. Policy debates in Ottawa are expected to focus on issues such as affordability, economic strategy, and national sovereignty — topics Poilievre and his allies see as opportunities to contrast with the Liberals.

Still, with Carney’s Liberals enjoying solid approval and prospects of legislative majorities growing — in part due to recent defections from Conservative ranks — the road ahead remains steep. Conservative strategists argue that clear messaging and targeted outreach could help narrow gaps in national polls ahead of the next federal election.

For now, the result from Calgary marks a pivotal moment for the Conservatives: a reaffirmation of Poilievre’s leadership and a signal that the party intends to face Canada’s political landscape on its current course, even as it seeks to balance internal unity with broader national appeal.