Pierre Poilievre’s Leadership of Canada’s Conservative Party Came to an Abrupt End

When truckers staged a protest in downtown Ottawa, occupying the Canadian capital for four weeks, Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party leader, welcomed them from a highway overpass, wearing knitted red mittens with white maple leaves. However, this gesture of support for the controversial Freedom Convoy of 2022 played a significant role in his defeat in his own district. Voters in Carleton, his riding, remembered the disruption caused by the protest, where they faced difficulties due to business shutdowns and constant horn blasting. Although the protest was not the sole reason for his defeat, it was a major concern for many, including those who identified as Conservatives in the past. Some voters were also dissatisfied with his stance on the trade war with America, his political style, and his vaccination views. Despite doubts, some still voted in favor of Poilievre, but ultimately, he lost the election to a retired businessman running for the Liberal Party. Poilievre’s loss was a surprise to many, and it remains to be seen whether he will remain Conservative leader. The Conservative Party, however, garnered its highest share of votes since 1988, even with Poilievre’s defeat.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/29/world/canada/canada-poilievre-election-conservatives.html