Why what Poilievre says matters — even though he lost his seat

Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre may have lost his seat in the House of Commons, but he is not letting that stop him from making his voice heard on the national stage. Despite not being the leader of the Official Opposition due to the legal requirement of holding a seat in the House of Commons, Poilievre has been actively engaging with the media and outlining his party’s approach to the new Parliament.

In the past week, Poilievre has held two news conferences where he has fielded questions from reporters and provided insight into how the Conservative Party will navigate the current political landscape. While former leader Andrew Scheer has temporarily taken on the role of Opposition leader until Poilievre can secure a seat in a byelection, political experts like Christopher Cochrane believe that Poilievre’s influence and direction will still carry weight within the party.

Cochrane, a political science professor at the University of Toronto, explains that in the modern parliamentary system, party politics heavily influence the proceedings in the House of Commons. The party determines who asks questions, what issues are prioritized, and how Opposition MPs hold the government to account. With Poilievre’s strong control over the party apparatus, his opinions and directives are likely to shape the party’s actions in the House.

Despite losing his Ontario riding of Carleton in the recent federal election, Poilievre is determined to make a comeback by winning another seat in the House. Conservative MP Damien Kurek has announced his intention to resign from his Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot to create a vacancy for Poilievre to contest in a byelection. However, Kurek must wait for the mandatory 30-day period after his victory is published in the Canada Gazette before officially stepping down.

Once the resignation process is complete, the Governor General will set a date for the byelection based on the advice of the prime minister and cabinet. Prime Minister Mark Carney has assured that the process will be expedited without delay, emphasizing transparency and efficiency in the electoral process.

In the meantime, Poilievre continues to engage with the public and the media, ensuring that his voice and the Conservative Party’s agenda remain at the forefront of national discourse. Despite the challenges of losing his seat, Poilievre’s determination and leadership remain unwavering as he looks towards securing a new mandate in the House of Commons.