Former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper extended congratulations to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre following a successful three-day national party convention that began on Sept. 7. Harper praised Poilievre’s convention and speech, referring to him as a future prime minister and emphasizing that the need for change is long overdue. Harper shared a brief clip from Poilievre’s speech in Quebec City, where he highlighted the importance of bringing hope as a leader.
During his speech, Poilievre painted a picture of hope for Canadians, describing scenes such as students walking safely to class, the sound of hammers constructing new homes, and shopkeepers closing their stores after a successful day. He emphasized the value of hard work and sacrifices, ultimately leading to a sense of accomplishment and the feeling of being “home” for Canadian citizens.
In response to Harper’s praise, Poilievre expressed gratitude for the accomplishments of the previous government, particularly in terms of low inflation and taxes. He focused his speech on addressing the country’s high cost of living, inflation, housing, and affordability issues. Poilievre promised to expedite credentials for skilled immigrants, incentivize cities to build more homes, and support natural resources. He also vowed to scrap the mandatory COVID-19 traveler vaccine registration program and highlighted the differences between a “common-sense” Conservative government and the coalition between the NDP and Liberals under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The Conservative Party of Canada has gained popularity in recent months, according to a Research Co. poll, with 37 percent of decided voters indicating they would vote for the Conservative candidate in their constituency. This marks a four-point increase since a similar poll conducted in February and gives Poilievre’s party a six-point lead over the Liberals. The party’s convention in Quebec City marked Poilievre’s first since becoming the CPC leader, with a record attendance of over 2,500 participants. The CPC also unveiled a new logo featuring a red maple leaf and a pale blue line inside a large letter “C.”
In response to Poilievre’s rising popularity, the Liberal Party alleged that he is focused on rolling back progress and importing far-right American-style politics. However, Poilievre and his supporters argue that it is the current government that is responsible for the country’s broken state. The convention concluded with a strong sense of momentum for the Conservative Party as it continues its preparation for the next federal election.