Politics
Pierre Poilievre Election Loss Shocks Canada Election 2025 Landscape
Canada election 2025
The 45-year-old professional politician Pierre Poilievre, who was largely predicted to be the next prime minister of Canada until recently, suffered a devastating setback when he lost his own seat in the general election.
Even though the Conservatives gained more seats and a larger portion of the vote, Mark Carney‘s Liberal party was able to take control of parliament, and Poilievre’s loss in the Carleton electoral district will undoubtedly raise more concerns about his future as party leader.
Bruce Fanjoy of the Liberal party, who was formerly thought to have little chance, won the Carleton seat that Poilievre had occupied for seven straight elections. The majority of the 91 candidates on the ballot, including the two males, participated in a demonstration demanding electoral reform.
Despite acknowledging the victory in an address late Monday, Poilievre vowed to remain the Conservative leader, calling it a “honor” to do so.
We have a lot to rejoice tonight, my fellow Conservatives. Poilievre declared, “We’ve gained well over 20 seats.” “We acknowledge that we didn’t cross the finish line completely. Although we are aware that change is necessary, it is not always easy to achieve. It requires time.
However, Poilievre is unable to head the official opposition without a seat in the House of Commons, and it is uncertain if he will be able to keep his home in Stornoway, the opposition leader’s official house.
In order to run in the by-election to replace the vacancy, Poilievre will require a Conservative MP to give up their seat if he decides to remain leader. Poilievre would probably not be allowed to return to parliament until the autumn session since that procedure takes time. The governor general of Canada must call the election between 11 and 180 days after learning of the seat vacancy.
Conservative sources told the Guardian in recent weeks that there was increasing discord in the party over Poilievre’s leadership and conjecture that he would be ousted shortly.
One senior member stated, “Bloodletting will be necessary.” Either the campaign manager or the leader might be responsible. However, some believe that the party’s objective of winning was not met at all. Additionally, there is a cost.
Poilievre became the youngest MP in Canadian history at the age of 25, and became Conservative leader in 2022. He developed a populist reputation and was a savage political brawler who became a lightning rod for dissatisfaction with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he once led by 25 points.
Poilievre found himself on the receiving end of a wave of patriotic rage as Donald Trump started to threaten Canada’s economy and independence, and Trudeau resigned to be replaced by Mark Carney.
Even though Poilievre lost personally, the Conservatives managed to secure enough seats to overtake other opposition parties and create the biggest official opposition in Canadian history.
Not only did Poilievre lose his seat in parliament, but Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the progressive New Democrats, also lost his seat in Burnaby as the party’s vote share plummeted.
“Representing the people of Burnaby Central has been an honor of my life,” he said in a tearful address announcing his retirement as party leader. “They elected a new member of parliament tonight, and I hope they do well.”
In addition to losing 17 of their 24 seats in the last parliament, the New Democrats, who controlled the balance of power following the federal election in 2021, are also likely to lose their formal party registration.
The NDP will not be able to ask questions during question time as frequently as recognized parties due to the loss of party status, among other parliamentary rights. Additionally, the NDP will be denied access to funds allotted to parties for research, which are disbursed in proportion to the number of seats occupied by a recognized party.
Jonathan Pedneault, a co-leader of the Green party, also failed his attempt to run for a Montreal district seat.