The three issues to blame for shock election loss of ‘Canada’s Trump’ Pierre Poilievre revealed by local expert
Canada’s conservative leader Pierre Poilievre was poised to become prime minister, but three issues led to an embarrassing defeat that saw him lose even his parliament seat, according to a local expert.
As Rupa Subramanya writes for The Free Press, Poilievre’s ambitions were undoubtedly hurt by president Donald Trump’s tariff war against Canada, which led the nation to rally around their liberal leader, Mark Carney.
Poilievre had risen amid Canadian fatigue of liberal rule and disappointment with Justin Trudeau. The conservative gained traction with ‘Canada First’ rhetoric that earned him the nickname of the ‘Canadian Trump.’
Trump’s attacks against Canada put Poilievre in a tough position. As Subramanya notes, ‘Attempts to distance himself from Trump could alienate core supporters, while embracing the American president would push away everyone else.’
It wasn’t all because of Trump, however, and Poilievre critics also point the conservative failed to emulate the US president’s open approach to media. Instead, Poilievre has been accused of having a media strategy that is ‘cautious and insular.’
Finally, Mark Carney’s entrance into the race for prime minister sealed Poilievre’s fate.
Carney, known as a brilliant mind and led the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis and the Bank of England during Brexit, making him specifically qualified to navigate Canada through the tariff war with the US.
Canada ‘s conservative leader Pierre Poilievre suffered a stunning defeat on Monday, even losing his parliamentary seat
Banker Mark Carney and the Liberals cleared a big hurdle by winning a fourth-straight term, but they have daunting challenges ahead
Trump’s attacks against Canada put Poilievre in a tough position, as the conservative had modeled his rhetoric after that of the US president’s
Monday’s electoral results offered a stunning humiliation for Poilievre, who had an over 90 percent chance of becoming prime minister back in January.
Poilievre, a career politician, had held his parliamentary seat for two decades before losing it on Monday.
In a concession speech and with his own House of Commons seat still in doubt, Poilievre vowed to keep fighting for Canadians.
‘We are cognizant of the fact that we didn’t get over the finish line yet,’ Poilievre told supporters in Ottawa.
‘We know that change is needed, but change is hard to come by. It takes time. It takes work. And that’s why we have to learn the lessons of tonight — so that we can have an even better result the next time Canadians decide the future of the country.’
Poilievre can still lead the Conservative Party.
Even with Canadians grappling with the fallout from a deadly weekend attack at a Vancouver street festival, Trump was trolling them on election day, suggesting again on social media that Canada should become the 51st state and saying he was on their ballot.
He also erroneously claimed that the U.S. subsidizes Canada, writing, ‘It makes no sense unless Canada is a State!’
Trump’s rhetoric has infuriated Canadians, leading many to cancel US vacations, refuse to buy American goods and possibly even vote early.
Poilievre is joined by his wife Anaida Poilievre as he speaks to supporters after losing the Canadian Federal Election on April 29
Meanwhile a record 7.3 million Canadians cast ballots before election day.
The Liberals were projected to win more of Parliament’s 343 seats than the Conservatives. It wasn’t immediately clear if they would win an outright majority — at least 172 — or would need to rely on a smaller party to pass legislation and remain in power.
In a victory speech, Carney stressed unity in the face of Washington’s threats. He said the mutually beneficial relationship Canada and the US had shared since World War II was gone.
‘We are over the shock of the American betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons,’ he said.
‘As I’ve been warning for months, America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country,’ Carney added.
‘These are not idle threats. President Trump is trying to break us so America can own us. That will never … ever happen. But we also must recognize the reality that our world has fundamentally changed.’
