Tensions within the Conservative Party are starting to hurt Pierre Poilievre’s pitch as a unifier, experts say. A growing divide between the party’s mainstream and populist factions is undermining Poilievre’s image as someone who can unite Canadians. This divide flared up recently when former Reform Party leader Preston Manning and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith made some controversial statements, sparking backlash from former Harper cabinet members like James Moore and Jason Kenney.
Smith, in particular, has raised alarms about a national unity crisis, especially after meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney and making a series of demands. She’s also written to Quebec Premier François Legault about increasing provincial sovereignty. Meanwhile, her reaction to the U.S. tariffs, which exempted Canada but still hit Alberta’s energy exports, has drawn criticism from other conservatives who see the tariffs as a blow to Canada as a whole.
These tensions come at a time when Poilievre is struggling to maintain a significant lead over the Liberals. While Poilievre has distanced himself from Manning’s Western independence rhetoric, the discord within his own party could make it harder for him to unite the country. Experts warn that the divide between centrists and populists within the party has always existed and could become a bigger issue if Poilievre hopes to lead the country.
Poilievre’s Bid to Be Canada’s Unifier Faces Challenges from Within His Own Party”
