The Rebirth of Canada's Right: How Pierre Poilievre is Shaking Up Canadian Politics

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Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has been dominating polls, with his Conservative Party now outpacing the ruling Liberals. Poilievre, who became leader of the Conservative Party two years ago, is being hailed as a rising star not only in Canada but also abroad. His popularity marks a significant turnaround for Canada’s political right, which has undergone a dramatic revival after years in the wilderness.

 

When Poilievre’s campaign team first began, they had concerns about how they would gather support across Canada, a vast and sparsely populated country where political rallies can be difficult to pull off. "Within about a week we realized that wasn’t going to be a problem," says Ginny Roth, who headed communications for Poilievre's campaign. "We knew Pierre was popular online but we didn’t know how that would translate on the ground. In fact, we were soon having to book bigger venues."

 

The campaign was a resounding success, with around 93,000 people attending 78 rallies across the country. Poilievre attracted 300,000 new members to the Conservative Party, raised more funds than his competitors combined, and won two-thirds of the vote, crushing centrist rival Jean Charest. His relentless travel and connection with voters allowed Poilievre to fine-tune his message, focusing on rising costs of living, housing affordability, and visible crime.

 

"He stuck around at the end of each rally to shake hands and take selfies with everyone that wanted one," Roth recalls. "He was often still at the venue at 1 am or 2 am." Poilievre’s approach helped him understand the struggles Canadians face, such as soaring gas prices, which fueled his targeted campaign.

 

Housing has become the cornerstone of Poilievre's political platform, a key issue that has resonated with Canadians. Since the Liberals returned to power in 2015, house prices have surged by 66%, making homeownership increasingly out of reach. Michael Bonner, a political consultant, notes, "Poilievre has taken housing and made it the absolute centerpiece of his political project."

 

By autumn 2022, the Conservatives had pulled ahead of the Liberals in the polls, with their popularity now at a high not seen since 1988. In a surprising shift, the Conservatives lead among voters aged 18 to 35 by 15 percentage points. Omer Aziz, a former foreign policy advisor to the Liberal government, admits, "We Liberals didn’t take him seriously enough early on. He could wipe us out."

 

With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's approval rating plummeting to -35, polls suggest the Liberals could fall to the fourth-largest party in the next election, expected by October 2025. Poilievre's rise has not gone unnoticed abroad, either. Robert Jenrick, a leading figure in the UK’s Conservative Party, traveled to Canada to meet Poilievre, seeing him as an example of how to build a popular conservative movement in opposition.

 

Poilievre’s success is even more remarkable given the state of Canada's conservative movement three decades ago. In 1993, the once-powerful Progressive Conservatives were decimated in an election, losing 154 seats and keeping only two. Over time, the party merged with the Reform Party, led by Stephen Harper, who became prime minister in 2006. "Poilievre represents part of Harper’s legacy," says Sean Speer, a public policy analyst. Poilievre, the adopted son of French-Canadian teachers, entered politics at a young age, and by 25, he was elected as an MP.

 

Known for his brash style and love of debate, Poilievre has always been an aggressive political player. "He relishes the verbal sparring; he always has," says Bonner. Poilievre’s recent rise to international prominence was boosted when a video of him casually eating an apple while dismantling a journalist’s questions went viral, even catching the attention of Elon Musk.

 

Poilievre’s populist appeal was solidified during the "Freedom Convoy" protest against vaccine mandates in early 2022, where he stood in support of the truckers. While some viewed his position as opportunistic, it resonated with many Canadians and bolstered his popularity. "If I’d been advising him, I would have recommended against the position he took and I would have been totally wrong," admits Speer.

 

Looking ahead, Poilievre faces the challenge of balancing his populist rhetoric with traditional conservative economic principles. He has called for the firing of the governor of the Bank of Canada and has promised to defund the CBC, which he describes as a “propaganda arm” of the Liberal Party.

 

Though Trudeau has criticized Poilievre for attacking Canadian institutions and "pitting Canadians against each other," the Conservative leader’s momentum shows little sign of slowing. As voters grow increasingly frustrated with the cost of living and rising housing prices, Poilievre’s message is resonating with a new generation of Canadians. Whether this political shift will last, only time will tell.

 

Based on a report from: Daily Telegraph 2024-10-03

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

What's the betting that Trudeau does a runner before the election to avoid a humiliating defeat? I give it a high chance.

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

22 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Trudeau does a runner

Don't bet on it. Canadians don't mind Trudeau and their woketard mental prisons. There is a good chance he wins again.