As Members of Parliament head back to Ottawa on Monday, federal Conservatives find themselves in the role of Opposition, striving to assert their presence in a national dialogue largely influenced by U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade conflict with Canada, alongside public scrutiny of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s interactions with the White House.
The leader of the Official Opposition hinted at his approach during a press conference before a caucus meeting in Penticton, B.C.
“The promise of Canada — that hard work leads to a fulfilling life, home ownership, affordable food, and safe neighborhoods — has been shattered after 11 years of Liberal governance,” Pierre Poilievre stated in Vancouver on Tuesday.
His remarks centered on the theme of affordability, a strategy that proved effective during the tenure of Carney’s predecessor, Justin Trudeau.
However, pollster David Coletto believes Canadians are currently reluctant to hold Carney accountable for the soaring prices.
“It’s not an immediate finger-pointing at Ottawa or Mr. Carney. It’s Donald Trump,” remarked Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data.
Recently, Poilievre has shown an increased awareness of Trump’s significant influence over Canadian public opinion.
He made a trip to New York, appearing on both Fox Business and CNBC.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box telling Americans he won’t ‘attack his prime minister on foreign soil’ amid the ongoing trade war. Poilievre said Canadians are feeling ‘wounded’ and ‘confused’ over how Canada and its economy became a key target for U.S. President Donald Trump.
However, recognizing the difficulties is one thing; finding solutions is quite another.
“How do you remain relevant when most Canadians perceive the greatest threat to their lives as coming from the United States, and they largely believe the prime minister and the Liberal Party are best equipped to handle it?” Coletto questioned.
Coletto, who tracked the Conservatives’ previous surge in public support before it faded during the 2025 federal election campaign, noted that the Official Opposition is now experiencing its lowest polling figures in nearly a decade, with the Liberals leading by 14 points.
“I believe it’s about finding a way to manage the voices within your own party who do not want you to align with Team Canada and are uncomfortable with some of the actions of the Liberals,” he stated.
‘Difficult’ conversations welcome: Conservative MP
Recently, commentators within the party expressed surprise when one of Poilievre’s MPs, Jamil Jivani, publicly advocated a notably non-confrontational approach toward the United States.
“You have a situation where Canadians who oppose Liberal policy choices are being labeled traitors, and individuals who should be presenting an alternative to the Liberals are instead trying to appease those in power,” Jivani remarked, seated in front of a Canadian flag in a video shared on his social media platforms.
A former classmate of U.S. Vice-President JD Vance, Jivani likened the Liberal response to the trade war to their largely unchallenged management of the COVID-19 pandemic, urging for a more positive relationship with the United States.
“We need you to remain steadfast, uphold your determination, and resist the pressure to believe there is only one way to address our country’s issues,” he expressed.
While he did not directly mention Poilievre, the message was clear to Dimitri Soudas, who previously served as a spokesperson for former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper.
“Not a single word criticizing Donald Trump, nor a word of praise for Pierre Poilievre. Sometimes, what a politician chooses to leave unsaid speaks volumes,” Soudas wrote on X.
Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, who was in Harper’s cabinet alongside Poilievre, expressed a similar sentiment.
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“[Jivani] attempts to undermine Pierre’s significant trip by posting a self-serving video portraying himself as a martyr, without offering any kind words regarding his leader’s efforts,” Kenney commented on X.
Should there be a strategy in place to address Jivani, Poilievre did not indicate it on Tuesday.
“We embrace a variety of perspectives from all over the country,” stated the party’s industry critic, Adam Chambers, in an interview with CBC News prior to the caucus meeting.
“If you’re not engaging in challenging discussions as a party… then I believe you’re not having the right conversation.”
Coletto mentioned that “not reining [Jivani] in” is a method to “navigate the diversity and complexity” within the Conservative coalition. However, he also pointed out that it highlights “the predicament Mr. Poilievre faces concerning the Trump issue in Canada.”
Further complicating matters, later on Tuesday, Harper, who had backed both Poilievre’s leadership bid in 2022 and election campaign last year, was in Toronto concluding the investment summit organized by Carney.
Harper remarked that it “must have been a very tough decision” for Carney to disengage from trade negotiations with the U.S., yet he believed there was no alternative. He also commended the federal government for expediting approvals for major projects and expressed his support for the government’s initiatives aimed at reducing dependency on the U.S.
Stephen Harper, the last federal Conservative leader to form government, spoke at Prime Minister Mark Carney’s investment summit on Tuesday. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)
When questioned if the presence of the only modern Conservative prime minister at Carney’s event undermined his message, Poilievre responded that “it does not,” adding that he had spoken with his party’s former leader a few days prior.
“Certainly, Conservatives are always ready to prioritize Canada, and we will collaborate with anyone,” he affirmed.
Nevertheless, as other challenges arise for the movement, questions linger over who will align with him.
Separation vote on the horizon
In British Columbia, the provincial Conservatives have been losing MLAs, reflecting the same trend seen with federal MPs who departed from Poilievre’s ranks over the past year.
Additionally, a referendum is scheduled in Alberta in just over a month, where voters will decide whether to remain part of Canada or consider a future ballot regarding secession.
Unlike Carney, Poilievre has already delivered two significant speeches in Alberta advocating for unity. However, in contrast to Carney, he must consider a power base for his party within the province. Coletto’s polling indicates that almost half of Conservative constituents in Alberta resonate with separatist sentiments.
“If he aspires to be prime minister of Canada, he cannot be perceived as a separatist,” Coletto stated.
Poilievre’s provincial counterpart, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, may have received an early indication of the repercussions when voters determine a political party is too closely aligned with the sovereignty movement—awarding a seat in a traditionally conservative Calgary riding to the Alberta NDP in a recent provincial byelection.
This situation presents yet another challenge for Poilievre’s coalition during a fall session where the agenda is already threatening to sideline his party.