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Longest Ballot Campaign declares victory in Battle River-Crowfoot byelection
Protest group's candidates in record-breaking election only garnered 314 votes, but organizers say their point was made
Author of the article:Bryan Passifiume
Published Aug 20, 2025 • Last updated 17 hours ago • 2 minute read
OTTAWA — Despite their candidates only earning 314 votes in Monday’s federal byelection that saw Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre regain a seat in the House of Commons, the election protest group responsible for embiggening the ballot is declaring victory.
“Of course, a movement that adds as many names as possible to a ballot isn’t really obsessing over vote results, we’re far more interested in making a political point,” the Longest Ballot Committee said in a statement issued Tuesday evening.
“What started with just a small group of friends and the blessing of the Rhinoceros party has now become a movement seven out of 10 Canadians are aware of, and perceived as such a political threat we’ve been mislabelled a ‘scam’ by the leader of the opposition.”
Indeed, Monday’s byelection in the east-central Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot saw a ballot with over 200 names on it, more than doubling the previous record set in the suburban Ottawa riding of Carleton, which Poilievre lost to a Liberal rookie.
Rather than subject voters to an enormous ballot, Elections Canada asked voters to write the name of their preferred candidate on the ballot instead of the standard checkbox.
The Longest Ballot Committee was the brainchild of Tomas and Kieran Szuchewycz in response to former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s failed promise to introduce election reform. Trudeau had proclaimed the 2015 federal election would be Canada’s last using the “first-past-the-post” election system, and vowed to introduce more equitable schemes such as proportional representation.
The committee wants the determining of election rules removed from the purview of elected politicians and instead entrusted to a neutral, non-partisan body — similar to how the arm’s-length Elections Canada operates elections and the Electoral Boundary Commission determines ridings.
“We have a very reasonable request, we’re asking for a similar body, call it Election Rules Canada, to oversee democratic reform,” the statement read.
Poilievre garnered 40,548 votes out of the 50,434 ballots cast Monday, with independent Bonnie Critchley — who loudly disavowed association with the protest — coming in second with 5,013 votes.
Longest Ballot candidates, at most, garnered around 11 votes, with the vast majority of ballot candidates getting one or zero votes.
“The longest ballot is a political prank that successfully gets attention and points out uncomfortable truths about power,” the committee’s statement continued.
“This autumn, MPs and an eager Mr. Poilievre are likely to prove our point once again: Politicians only change election rules to help themselves.”
bpassifiume@postmedia.com
X: @bryanpassifiume
torontosun.com
Protest group's candidates in record-breaking election only garnered 314 votes, but organizers say their point was made
Author of the article:Bryan Passifiume
Published Aug 20, 2025 • Last updated 17 hours ago • 2 minute read
OTTAWA — Despite their candidates only earning 314 votes in Monday’s federal byelection that saw Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre regain a seat in the House of Commons, the election protest group responsible for embiggening the ballot is declaring victory.
“Of course, a movement that adds as many names as possible to a ballot isn’t really obsessing over vote results, we’re far more interested in making a political point,” the Longest Ballot Committee said in a statement issued Tuesday evening.
“What started with just a small group of friends and the blessing of the Rhinoceros party has now become a movement seven out of 10 Canadians are aware of, and perceived as such a political threat we’ve been mislabelled a ‘scam’ by the leader of the opposition.”
Indeed, Monday’s byelection in the east-central Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot saw a ballot with over 200 names on it, more than doubling the previous record set in the suburban Ottawa riding of Carleton, which Poilievre lost to a Liberal rookie.
Rather than subject voters to an enormous ballot, Elections Canada asked voters to write the name of their preferred candidate on the ballot instead of the standard checkbox.
The Longest Ballot Committee was the brainchild of Tomas and Kieran Szuchewycz in response to former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s failed promise to introduce election reform. Trudeau had proclaimed the 2015 federal election would be Canada’s last using the “first-past-the-post” election system, and vowed to introduce more equitable schemes such as proportional representation.
The committee wants the determining of election rules removed from the purview of elected politicians and instead entrusted to a neutral, non-partisan body — similar to how the arm’s-length Elections Canada operates elections and the Electoral Boundary Commission determines ridings.
“We have a very reasonable request, we’re asking for a similar body, call it Election Rules Canada, to oversee democratic reform,” the statement read.
Poilievre garnered 40,548 votes out of the 50,434 ballots cast Monday, with independent Bonnie Critchley — who loudly disavowed association with the protest — coming in second with 5,013 votes.
Longest Ballot candidates, at most, garnered around 11 votes, with the vast majority of ballot candidates getting one or zero votes.
“The longest ballot is a political prank that successfully gets attention and points out uncomfortable truths about power,” the committee’s statement continued.
“This autumn, MPs and an eager Mr. Poilievre are likely to prove our point once again: Politicians only change election rules to help themselves.”
bpassifiume@postmedia.com
X: @bryanpassifiume
Longest Ballot Campaign declares victory in Battle River-Crowfoot byelection
Protest group's candidates in record-breaking election only garnered 314 votes, but organizers say their point was made
Elections Canada says around 200 ballots rejected in Alberta byelection
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Catherine Morrison
Published Aug 26, 2025 • 2 minute read
The adapted ballot used in the Battle River-Crowfoot federal byelection is seen at an advance polling station in Camrose, Alta., on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fakiha Baig
The adapted ballot used in the Battle River-Crowfoot federal byelection is seen at an advance polling station in Camrose, Alta., on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. Photo by Fakiha Baig /THE CANADIAN PRESS
OTTAWA — Just over 200 ballots were rejected in the recent Alberta byelection where Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre regained a seat in the House of Commons, Elections Canada says.
Validated results of the Battle River_Crowfoot byelection posted by Elections Canada show 51,085 valid votes cast in the byelection, and 211 rejected ballots, or 0.4 per cent of the total votes cast.
A record 214 people were on the ballot, most of whom were part of a protest movement called the Longest Ballot Committee, which is pushing for electoral reform to replace the first-past-the-post system.
The group also targeted the Carleton riding in the general election, when there were 91 candidates on the ballot with Poilievre.
Because there were so many more candidates for Battle River_Crowfoot, voters were required for the first time ever to write the name of their preferred candidate on a blank ballot. Thick, coil-bound booklets listing the candidates were available at voting stations.
Matthew McKenna, a spokesperson for Elections Canada, said “the essential criteria for a ballot to be counted is that the elector’s intention is clear,” meaning that a ballot with typos could still be counted.
“If the ballot didn’t include the name of a candidate, or included the name of someone who was not running for election in that riding, the intention wouldn’t be discernable and the ballot could not be counted,” McKenna said.
Poilievre got more than 80 per cent of the vote in the byelection, receiving 41,308 votes.
McKenna said Elections Canada took “a number of measures” to help ensure electors knew how to use the ballot and could easily find the name of their chosen candidate when they went to vote.
He said the agency released a video on social media to familiarize electors with the new format and said poll workers had training so they would be prepared to answer electors’ questions and provide assistance to those who needed it.
“As we do for every election, we will take the time to assess how things went and will share details in post-election reports which we will publish in the coming months,” McKenna said.
“As this was the first time Elections Canada has used a write-in ballot for advance and election day polls, we will look closely at how things went yesterday to see what worked well and what could be improved should such a ballot be used again in future elections.”
The Battle River_Crowfoot riding was left vacant shortly after the spring general election, when Conservative Damien Kurek stepped down to make way for the party leader.
Poilievre was elected in the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton seven straight times since 2004 but lost in April to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy. Poilievre was unable to sit as the leader of the Official Opposition during the spring sitting, and Saskatchewan MP Andrew Scheer filled that role in the House. Poilievre remained the Conservative leader, and will resume his role as Opposition leader when the House of Commons resumes in September.
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Catherine Morrison
Published Aug 26, 2025 • 2 minute read
The adapted ballot used in the Battle River-Crowfoot federal byelection is seen at an advance polling station in Camrose, Alta., on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fakiha Baig
The adapted ballot used in the Battle River-Crowfoot federal byelection is seen at an advance polling station in Camrose, Alta., on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. Photo by Fakiha Baig /THE CANADIAN PRESS
OTTAWA — Just over 200 ballots were rejected in the recent Alberta byelection where Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre regained a seat in the House of Commons, Elections Canada says.
Validated results of the Battle River_Crowfoot byelection posted by Elections Canada show 51,085 valid votes cast in the byelection, and 211 rejected ballots, or 0.4 per cent of the total votes cast.
A record 214 people were on the ballot, most of whom were part of a protest movement called the Longest Ballot Committee, which is pushing for electoral reform to replace the first-past-the-post system.
The group also targeted the Carleton riding in the general election, when there were 91 candidates on the ballot with Poilievre.
Because there were so many more candidates for Battle River_Crowfoot, voters were required for the first time ever to write the name of their preferred candidate on a blank ballot. Thick, coil-bound booklets listing the candidates were available at voting stations.
Matthew McKenna, a spokesperson for Elections Canada, said “the essential criteria for a ballot to be counted is that the elector’s intention is clear,” meaning that a ballot with typos could still be counted.
“If the ballot didn’t include the name of a candidate, or included the name of someone who was not running for election in that riding, the intention wouldn’t be discernable and the ballot could not be counted,” McKenna said.
Poilievre got more than 80 per cent of the vote in the byelection, receiving 41,308 votes.
McKenna said Elections Canada took “a number of measures” to help ensure electors knew how to use the ballot and could easily find the name of their chosen candidate when they went to vote.
He said the agency released a video on social media to familiarize electors with the new format and said poll workers had training so they would be prepared to answer electors’ questions and provide assistance to those who needed it.
“As we do for every election, we will take the time to assess how things went and will share details in post-election reports which we will publish in the coming months,” McKenna said.
“As this was the first time Elections Canada has used a write-in ballot for advance and election day polls, we will look closely at how things went yesterday to see what worked well and what could be improved should such a ballot be used again in future elections.”
The Battle River_Crowfoot riding was left vacant shortly after the spring general election, when Conservative Damien Kurek stepped down to make way for the party leader.
Poilievre was elected in the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton seven straight times since 2004 but lost in April to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy. Poilievre was unable to sit as the leader of the Official Opposition during the spring sitting, and Saskatchewan MP Andrew Scheer filled that role in the House. Poilievre remained the Conservative leader, and will resume his role as Opposition leader when the House of Commons resumes in September.
Elections Canada says around 200 ballots rejected in Alberta byelection
Just over 200 ballots were rejected in the recent Alberta byelection where Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre regained a seat.
Serryah’s Jasmin Lane…sure seems to have woken up more that 1/2 a year after the last Federal Election that put the Liberals in again four their fourth consecutive term. Interesting.
(YouTube & Watch CBC PANIC After Their Poilievre Smear Campaign Gets DESTROYED By FACTS)
www.thebeaverton.com
Poilievre prevents more MPs from leaving party by locking doors, swallowing key
OTTAWA – In an effort to prevent any more defections from caucus, party leader Pierre Poilievre has reportedly locked all Conservative MPs in an undisclosed room in Parliament Hill before swallowing the key.
www.thebeaverton.com
That's rich coming from someone whose brain couldn't outsmart a goldfish in a staring contest.
Serryah's Jasmine Lane? I doubt that. I think youre confusing Belle or Bo Again.Serryah’s Jasmin Lane…sure seems to have woken up more that 1/2 a year after the last Federal Election that put the Liberals in again four their fourth consecutive term. Interesting.
(YouTube & Watch CBC PANIC After Their Poilievre Smear Campaign Gets DESTROYED By FACTS)
Poilievre prevents more MPs from leaving party by locking doors, swallowing key
OTTAWA – In an effort to prevent any more defections from caucus, party leader Pierre Poilievre has reportedly locked all Conservative MPs in an undisclosed room in Parliament Hill before swallowing the key.
It was her go to for a while there leading up to the Carney coronation. Elbows something sometimes? Maybe I’m wrong. Who knows?
That was back in that ridiculous 75 day stretch before our election after America’s, and I could’ve swore that she was posting stuff by this chick, but…. It’s a blurry time.
The Conservative ranks shrank by two slots this month. Considering who was lost and the circumstances of their departure, it alone doesn’t tell us much about the party. It does, however, tell us a lot about media bias.Until only recently, Justin Trudeau enjoyed what appears to have been the longest media honeymoon of perhaps any prime minister. And yet, when the opposition Conservatives point out the obvious bias, or avoid media questions, reporters and columnists gasp as if democracy is crumbling before them.
Pierre Poilievre is accused of all sorts of nefarious and evil actions and intensions. A grand narrative is always asserted, but rarely is it ever backed up.
Examples are not hard to find. A Toronto Star columnist has argued Poilievre would try to claim elections Conservatives lost were illegitimate, or rigged. No evidence was cited.
A Canadian Press story accused Poilievre of spreading conspiracy theories. Again, no evidence was cited.
A CBC story accused the Conservative leader of pandering to an extremist group called Diagolon and the only evidence cited was that he walked past a door with some graffiti scrawled on the bottom.
Much of the same media has been remarkably incurious about any number of Liberal government scandals. Chinese election interference? Actually Poilievre is the one to blame for making such a big deal of it, according to some writers.
Pressuring the attorney general not to prosecute a politically important Quebec company? Why should we care about that?
Inflation? an invention of Poilievre’s imagination. And on and on and on it goes, media parroting Liberal talking points, running interference for Trudeau, and imagining the worst of Poilievre.
For those worried about polarization in our society, all news media need to take better care to ensure they are reporting in good faith. This behaviour doesn’t relent, even in the face of actual media malpractice that goes well beyond bias. So it was when a CTV News report last month featured a clip of Poilievre speaking that was altered to make it sound like he was bringing a non-confidence motion to topple the government as a way to stop dental care, which was a fabrication.
Here is what Poilievre had actually said: “That’s why it’s time to put forward a motion for a carbon tax election.”
And here is what CTV had him say: “That’s why we need to put forward a motion,” which apparently fit better with the story on dental care.
It was egregious conduct and those responsible were rightly removed from CTV News, but not until Poilievre’s Conservatives demanded an apology that admitted the nature of the manipulated clip, and said they would boycott any interviews with CTV.
NP View: CTV got it wrong. Media dismissals of that fact are even worse — National Post
All newsrooms should take care to report in good faithapple.news
Ask most journalists in Toronto, as well as any Liberal MP, what they think of this mess and, predictably, they respond by clutching their pearls. How dare the Conservatives bully the media? How dare CTV cave?
When comparable behaviour comes from Liberals, such as after the media accurately reported on the SNC-Lavalin scandal (“the allegations in the Globe story this morning are false”) or, again, accurately reported on foreign election interference (it is the media that is guilty of “foreign interference”), or the fact the Liberal gun ban initially included hunting rifles (“misinformation”), you can’t throw a stone without finding a reporter or a pundit willing to back the government.
But, when Poilievre responds negatively to a media report that was clearly doctored, they blame him rather than those responsible.
Case in point comes from Globe and Mail columnist Andrew Coyne, who argued last week that the reaction to the manipulated clip was overblown. The CTV employees weren’t rightfully removed from the newsroom for failing the most basic of journalistic principles, they were, according to Coyne, canned as a “sacrifice” to placate Poilievre??? Seriously?
As for the offence itself, one can almost hear Coyne rolling his eyes, “It’s one quote in one story on one network on one day.” Well, no, it isn’t just one story on one network on one day, it is the clearest example of a general anti-Conservative bias in the media that has long existed. Perhaps the extent of the bias is exaggerated from time to time, but the fact it exists is unmistakable.
Even so, the issue with CTV’s manipulated story isn’t bias, it’s about integrity. It shouldn’t be a partisan issue, and the fact that some journalists wish to make it partisan suggests a bias.
Coyne went on to assign motives to CTV executives and intentions to Poilievre that he had no way of knowing. When it came to CTV’s statement announcing it dismissed the two employees in question — it read “we sincerely and unreservedly apologize” and acknowledged the offence “violated our editorial standards” — Coyne attributed that to “fear.” As for the motivations behind the Conservatives, Coyne argued that the Tories are not merely trying to “work the refs,” but “trying to take the refs out of the game altogether.”
We at National Post are old friends with Andrew Coyne, but he is wrong here. That the Conservatives would want its supporters to listen to them, to trust them, and not the media is hardly surprising. All political parties, and all governments, have complicated relationships with the media. Suggesting Poilievre is trying to take the “refs” out isn’t backed up.
Regardless, we all have a duty to get it right. Integrity is the news media’s best resource, and if clear violations of integrity are dismissed because they involve a politician the media doesn’t like, more serious problems abound than simple bias.
NP View: CTV got it wrong. Media dismissals of that fact are even worse — National Post
All newsrooms should take care to report in good faith
NP View: The media's double standard on Pierre Poilievre — National Post
Caucus unrest treated as a calamity when it involves the Conservatives, while Liberals get a pass
Actually the conservatives have only lost the one seat , the other is still a sitting member and has only announced his intention to step down .The Conservative ranks shrank by two slots this month. Considering who was lost and the circumstances of their departure, it alone doesn’t tell us much about the party. It does, however, tell us a lot about media bias.
Whatever you make of these concerns, they’ve been brewing for a while — and they certainly weren’t kicked off by a couple of defections. If only the dramas of the Liberal caucus were also feasted upon with such glee.
NP View: The media's double standard on Pierre Poilievre — National Post
Caucus unrest treated as a calamity when it involves the Conservatives, while Liberals get a pass
And there will be a by election with conservatives most likely retaining seat .
As Carney support surges, Poilievre faces high-stakes leadership review
While prime minister's support shoots up in latest polling, Conservative leader looks for support from party loyalists to keep his job
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Jan 28, 2026 • Last updated 8 hours ago • 3 minute read
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre rises during Question Period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, Jan.27, 2026. Photo by Adrian Wyld /THE CANADIAN PRESS
As he heads to the Conservative convention in Calgary this weekend, Pierre Poilievre must be spending a lot of time thinking about numbers. There are the numbers he needs to get from his own party’s base in his leadership review, then there are the polling numbers of Canadian voters.
The latest poll from Leger for Postmedia shows Poilievre’s Conservatives with a nine-point deficit trailing the Liberals 47-38.
This latest poll, taken Jan. 23-26 in the wake of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s trip to China and his widely discussed speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, diverges from other recent polling that has shown the Liberals and Conservatives closer.
A poll released two weeks ago by Abacus Data showed the two parties tied, a poll released by Angus Reid on Tuesday showed the Liberals with a three-point lead over the Conservatives 41-38, close to the margin of error.
‘Older population’ rallying for Carney after Davos
The question is whether this Leger poll is an outlier or the start of a trend. Andrew Enns, executive vice-president at Leger, told Postmedia this week that Carney is benefitting from people rallying to him after his speech and Donald Trump’s reaction.
“When someone is attacking your leader and suggesting he is not grateful, that he should be careful, I think you’re going to see a positive response by a lot of Canadians, and certainly that older population,” Enns said.
Among those aged 55 and older, 54% say they would vote Liberal compared to 34% who would vote Conservative.
The two parties are effectively tied among voters younger than 55, but that 20-point gap is a real problem for Poilievre and his team.
People in that age bracket are traditionally the most reliable voting bloc and until the departure of Justin Trudeau and the arrival of Carney, it’s a group that overwhelmingly favoured Poilievre. Now, he’s struggling to get a third of seniors saying they would vote for him.
Why Poilievre needs more than a simple majority
At his convention, the thoughts and feelings of the voting public don’t matter; it’s the views of his party membership.
Technically, Poilievre needs only to get more than 50% support in his leadership review but, in reality, he needs a much higher number. Joe Clark resigned as leader of the PC Party in 1983 when he received only 66% support from party faithful.
Poilievre is likely to get above 70% support in the review, and some party supporters are bragging that he will get above 90%. If he gets Clark-like numbers of 66% or lower, expect loud calls to emerge for him to resign and for the party to pick a new leader.
Poilievre expecting over 70% support in review
One Conservative campaign vet said there are two things working in Poilievre’s favour to get above 70%.
Firstly, many of those in Alberta who are behind the push for separation would be the kinds of voters who would show up to the convention and agitate for a leadership change, but they are currently pre-occupied with their petition campaign. Secondly, there is a sense of apathy among many of those less supportive of Poilievre staying in the job. They may want a new leader, but no one is organizing to take him out.
“Who else is there?” is the common refrain even from those who would like to see a change in leadership.
Poilievre appears to have a lock on his base supporters in the party, he has to be working hard to ensure that enough of them show up and vote this weekend.
While a surprise is unlikely, it is never out of the question.
angusreid.org
torontosun.com
While prime minister's support shoots up in latest polling, Conservative leader looks for support from party loyalists to keep his job
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Jan 28, 2026 • Last updated 8 hours ago • 3 minute read
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre rises during Question Period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, Jan.27, 2026. Photo by Adrian Wyld /THE CANADIAN PRESS
As he heads to the Conservative convention in Calgary this weekend, Pierre Poilievre must be spending a lot of time thinking about numbers. There are the numbers he needs to get from his own party’s base in his leadership review, then there are the polling numbers of Canadian voters.
The latest poll from Leger for Postmedia shows Poilievre’s Conservatives with a nine-point deficit trailing the Liberals 47-38.
This latest poll, taken Jan. 23-26 in the wake of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s trip to China and his widely discussed speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, diverges from other recent polling that has shown the Liberals and Conservatives closer.
A poll released two weeks ago by Abacus Data showed the two parties tied, a poll released by Angus Reid on Tuesday showed the Liberals with a three-point lead over the Conservatives 41-38, close to the margin of error.
‘Older population’ rallying for Carney after Davos
The question is whether this Leger poll is an outlier or the start of a trend. Andrew Enns, executive vice-president at Leger, told Postmedia this week that Carney is benefitting from people rallying to him after his speech and Donald Trump’s reaction.
“When someone is attacking your leader and suggesting he is not grateful, that he should be careful, I think you’re going to see a positive response by a lot of Canadians, and certainly that older population,” Enns said.
Among those aged 55 and older, 54% say they would vote Liberal compared to 34% who would vote Conservative.
The two parties are effectively tied among voters younger than 55, but that 20-point gap is a real problem for Poilievre and his team.
People in that age bracket are traditionally the most reliable voting bloc and until the departure of Justin Trudeau and the arrival of Carney, it’s a group that overwhelmingly favoured Poilievre. Now, he’s struggling to get a third of seniors saying they would vote for him.
Why Poilievre needs more than a simple majority
At his convention, the thoughts and feelings of the voting public don’t matter; it’s the views of his party membership.
Technically, Poilievre needs only to get more than 50% support in his leadership review but, in reality, he needs a much higher number. Joe Clark resigned as leader of the PC Party in 1983 when he received only 66% support from party faithful.
Poilievre is likely to get above 70% support in the review, and some party supporters are bragging that he will get above 90%. If he gets Clark-like numbers of 66% or lower, expect loud calls to emerge for him to resign and for the party to pick a new leader.
Poilievre expecting over 70% support in review
One Conservative campaign vet said there are two things working in Poilievre’s favour to get above 70%.
Firstly, many of those in Alberta who are behind the push for separation would be the kinds of voters who would show up to the convention and agitate for a leadership change, but they are currently pre-occupied with their petition campaign. Secondly, there is a sense of apathy among many of those less supportive of Poilievre staying in the job. They may want a new leader, but no one is organizing to take him out.
“Who else is there?” is the common refrain even from those who would like to see a change in leadership.
Poilievre appears to have a lock on his base supporters in the party, he has to be working hard to ensure that enough of them show up and vote this weekend.
While a surprise is unlikely, it is never out of the question.
Federal Politics: Carney receives post-Davos bump in approval, though vote intention picture remains tight - Angus Reid Institute
Three points separate Liberals & CPC (41% versus 38%); Poilievre’s net favourability at -22 January 26, 2026 – Prime Minister Mark Carney prompted international headlines – and late-night Truth Social posts – with his speech in Davos at the World Economic Forum last week, as he rebuked the...
angusreid.org
LILLEY: As Carney support surges, Poilievre faces high-stakes leadership review
Polls are tightening as Pierre Poilievre faces a make-or-break leadership review at the Conservative convention. Read on.
How can the Liberals be up by 9 points? This is incredible. Are people not paying attention to what Carney is NOT doing? He's NOT DOING anything for Canada. He's doing it all for himself & his Brookfield minions. OMG I can't believe the ignorance of Canadians, especially Eastern Canadians. No wonder Alberta wants out!! I think I'll sign up myself.As Carney support surges, Poilievre faces high-stakes leadership review
While prime minister's support shoots up in latest polling, Conservative leader looks for support from party loyalists to keep his job
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Jan 28, 2026 • Last updated 8 hours ago • 3 minute read
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre rises during Question Period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, Jan.27, 2026. Photo by Adrian Wyld /THE CANADIAN PRESS
As he heads to the Conservative convention in Calgary this weekend, Pierre Poilievre must be spending a lot of time thinking about numbers. There are the numbers he needs to get from his own party’s base in his leadership review, then there are the polling numbers of Canadian voters.
The latest poll from Leger for Postmedia shows Poilievre’s Conservatives with a nine-point deficit trailing the Liberals 47-38.
This latest poll, taken Jan. 23-26 in the wake of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s trip to China and his widely discussed speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, diverges from other recent polling that has shown the Liberals and Conservatives closer.
A poll released two weeks ago by Abacus Data showed the two parties tied, a poll released by Angus Reid on Tuesday showed the Liberals with a three-point lead over the Conservatives 41-38, close to the margin of error.
‘Older population’ rallying for Carney after Davos
The question is whether this Leger poll is an outlier or the start of a trend. Andrew Enns, executive vice-president at Leger, told Postmedia this week that Carney is benefitting from people rallying to him after his speech and Donald Trump’s reaction.
“When someone is attacking your leader and suggesting he is not grateful, that he should be careful, I think you’re going to see a positive response by a lot of Canadians, and certainly that older population,” Enns said.
Among those aged 55 and older, 54% say they would vote Liberal compared to 34% who would vote Conservative.
The two parties are effectively tied among voters younger than 55, but that 20-point gap is a real problem for Poilievre and his team.
People in that age bracket are traditionally the most reliable voting bloc and until the departure of Justin Trudeau and the arrival of Carney, it’s a group that overwhelmingly favoured Poilievre. Now, he’s struggling to get a third of seniors saying they would vote for him.
Why Poilievre needs more than a simple majority
At his convention, the thoughts and feelings of the voting public don’t matter; it’s the views of his party membership.
Technically, Poilievre needs only to get more than 50% support in his leadership review but, in reality, he needs a much higher number. Joe Clark resigned as leader of the PC Party in 1983 when he received only 66% support from party faithful.
Poilievre is likely to get above 70% support in the review, and some party supporters are bragging that he will get above 90%. If he gets Clark-like numbers of 66% or lower, expect loud calls to emerge for him to resign and for the party to pick a new leader.
Poilievre expecting over 70% support in review
One Conservative campaign vet said there are two things working in Poilievre’s favour to get above 70%.
Firstly, many of those in Alberta who are behind the push for separation would be the kinds of voters who would show up to the convention and agitate for a leadership change, but they are currently pre-occupied with their petition campaign. Secondly, there is a sense of apathy among many of those less supportive of Poilievre staying in the job. They may want a new leader, but no one is organizing to take him out.
“Who else is there?” is the common refrain even from those who would like to see a change in leadership.
Poilievre appears to have a lock on his base supporters in the party, he has to be working hard to ensure that enough of them show up and vote this weekend.
While a surprise is unlikely, it is never out of the question.
Federal Politics: Carney receives post-Davos bump in approval, though vote intention picture remains tight - Angus Reid Institute
Three points separate Liberals & CPC (41% versus 38%); Poilievre’s net favourability at -22 January 26, 2026 – Prime Minister Mark Carney prompted international headlines – and late-night Truth Social posts – with his speech in Davos at the World Economic Forum last week, as he rebuked the...LILLEY: As Carney support surges, Poilievre faces high-stakes leadership review
Polls are tightening as Pierre Poilievre faces a make-or-break leadership review at the Conservative convention. Read on.