Underneath the gleaming blue lights of the convention stage, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre painted a vision of himself as Canada’s future head of state. Speaking to the party’s faithful on a Friday, he used his election-style speech to share bold visions and throw familiar reassurances to his base. The vital occasion fell nearly a year after his resounding first-ballot victory in the leadership race and drew more than 2,500 supporters to the policy convention in Quebec City.
The room buzzed with anticipation; it was his debut address as party leader at a convention and all eyes were on him. Looking out at a sea of enthusiasts, he thanked his parents. Their decision to adopt him, to work hard in a classroom, had led him to this pivotal moment, standing proudly before the crowd. The slightest hint of emotion tinged his voice as he thanked his mother.
Indeed, Poilievre’s victory a year prior was nothing short of decisive, marking the most authoritative triumph for a Conservative leader since Stephen Harper in 2004. The party has nurtured that spark of hope, praying it will blaze into a win that ends nearly eight years of Liberal rule.
Since his remarkable victory, Poilievre has been sharpening the party’s focus and whipping it into election-fighting form. He’s been smoothing his edges, reaching out to new voters with frequent outreach events and a $3-million advertising campaign, presenting a gentler, more prime ministerial version of himself.
His speech that Friday represented the climax of all his tireless efforts. He pledged to restore hope to a nation wearied by economic turbulence and high living costs. His rallying cry, “Bring it Home,” echoed even before he took the stage.
Consistently critical of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, he accused the leader of failing Canadians in their quest for what he called the Canadian dream: home ownership. His audience roared with anticipation as he described the two choice Canadians would face in the coming election: a common-sense Conservative government that rewards hard work or Trudeau’s costly coalition.
Anaida Poilievre, his wife, introduced him with a poignant account of their family’s struggles as immigrants from Venezuela and the sacrifices they’ve made in pursuit of the country’s highest office. The challenge ahead is formidable, she acknowledged, but its importance cannot be overstated.
From speeding up credential recognition for skilled immigrants, incentivizing the construction of more homes, developing the country’s natural resources, to ending the ArriveCan app, Pierre Poilievre detailed the direction he would take if elected.
Engaging his critics and supporters alike, he vowed to dismantle the Trudeau Liberals’ carbon pricing plan and pledged to cut funding to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. His promises stirred a wave of applause from his supporters, who eagerly lined up to meet him after the speech. Most were united in their anticipation of a “blue wave” that would topple the Liberals.
In a final word of caution, former Conservative cabinet minister Peter MacKay, urged unity among the party faithful. Indeed, unity and investment were hailed as the twin forces behind the desired “blue wave.” As Robert Staley, the Conservative Fund leader revealed, post-election spending on tours and advertising continue to bolster the party’s chances in the upcoming election.
The convention came to its conclusion on Saturday, with delegates casting their votes on policy resolutions. The outcome of their decisions, like the ripples in a pond, will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of the party and the country it seeks to lead.
