Liberal operatives planted ‘stop the steal’ buttons at conservative conference
Liberal Party Staffers Cause Controversy at Conservative Conference
Last week, two Liberal Party staffers attended the Canada Strong and Free Networking (CSFN) Conference, formerly known as the Manning Conference, where they created a stir by planting buttons with Trump-style language that highlighted divisions within the Conservative Party. The event, a gathering of conservative-leaning Canadians to discuss policy proposals and network, took place at the Westin Hotel in downtown Ottawa.
Attendees at the conference were surprised to find buttons scattered throughout the event space. One button read “stop the steal,” a clear reference to Donald Trump’s efforts to challenge the outcome of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. This move by the Liberal Party comes as they attempt to link Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to the controversial American president, especially in light of recent polling numbers that show the Liberals in the lead.
Another button at the conference had the name “Jenni Byrne” crossed out, with “Kory Teneycke” written underneath. Jenni Byrne serves as the national campaign director for the Conservative Party of Canada, while Kory Teneycke is a seasoned Conservative strategist who has been openly critical of the party’s current campaign strategies.
It was later revealed that the buttons were actually planted by the Liberal war room, as campaign workers in Ottawa bars shared details of the orchestrated move. The Liberal Party staffers deliberately attended the conservative conference to distribute the buttons in a way that made it appear as though they were left by genuine attendees.
When asked for a response, the Liberal Party did not confirm their involvement but did not deny it either. CSFN spokesperson Alex Spence expressed disappointment in the Liberals’ tactics, calling them divisive and gimmicky. Meanwhile, sources revealed that individuals working on the Poilievre campaign were instructed to avoid the conference and focus on door-knocking activities instead.
Conservative Party of Canada spokesperson Sam Lilly criticized the Liberals for attempting to import American-style politics into Canada and questioned what other questionable tactics they might employ as they strive for a fourth term in office. Despite the controversy stirred up by the Liberal staffers, the united and growing Conservative movement remains resilient in the face of such tactics.
