If Quebec were to be the route towards Poilievre's future.
Rewritten Article:
The Conservative Party's Pierre Poilievre might make a comeback to the House of Commons, possibly contesting a seat in Quebec. This intriguing idea is gathering steam among the conservative ranks.
Our sources recently chatted with key players and heard whispers of this possibility. According to La Presse, these discussions have been happening in recent days.
In the 2021 election, the Conservative Party garnered its best electoral results since its inception in 2003. They secured 41.27% of the national vote and won 144 seats, including 53 in Ontario. In Quebec, they won 12 seats, incrementing their tally from the 2021 election.
However, Poilievre's Carleton riding went to Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy, with a margin exceeding 4,000 votes.
Despite this setback, Poilievre remains determined to hold onto his post as leader. His close associates promptly urged him to re-enter the Commons as quickly as possible. Key party MPs, including former leader Andrew Scheer, have expressed confidence in him.
Former Harper government ministers - Jason Kenney, James Moore, and Rona Ambrose - assert that Poilievre is the ideal leader to steer the Conservative Party back to power.
Current political conditions favor a swift return for Poilievre. The Conservative Party serves as the official opposition, the U.S. trade war is starting to hurt the Canadian economy, and the Carney government is a minority one. The parliamentary work will resume on May 26th.
"The approximately 41.2% of votes across the country that went to the Conservative Party must echo loudly in the Commons, and it should happen without delay," remarked a Conservative insider who requested anonymity to discuss the options open to Poilievre.
Typically, a Conservative MP presents their resignation to trigger a by-election in their riding, allowing the leader to run there.
ThREE potential options are emerging in conservative strongholds: an Edmonton region riding in Alberta, the Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke riding in the Ottawa region, or a rural Quebec riding.
According to Yan Plante, a former advisor to Stephen Harper for three federal elections, Poilievre should consider a Quebec riding if the chance arises. He pointed out that the Conservative Party has only won about 20 seats in Quebec and the four Atlantic provinces over the past 20 years, which collectively possess 110 seats (78 in Quebec and 32 in the other four provinces). The Conservative Party's fortunes suffer when they neglect the vast majority (90) of these ridings.
"By focusing on a Quebec riding, Poilievre would have time to reshape his image, better understand Quebec, and give himself a second chance in Quebec. This strategy could also help him make strides in the Atlantic region," Mr. Plante explained.
He also recalled that Poilievre's wife, Anaida Poilievre, has connections to Montreal, and their two children are bilingual.
It's now four straight losses for the Conservative Party under four different leaders. The problem might extend beyond leadership changes. It's more about math. Can you afford not to compete in 90 of the 110 ridings in Eastern Ontario for how long if you aspire to make gains? To drive expansion, you need to fill the territory with a leader who has connections to Quebec, he observed.
Eric Duhaime, leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec, expresses strong support for Poilievre contemplating the Quebec option.
"I think it's a fantastic idea. Poilievre should consider a Quebec riding like Beauce. It'd be a golden opportunity. He speaks French quite fluently. His spouse is a Quebec adoptee, and their children converse in French at home," said Duhaime, leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec.
The leaders' situation isn't without precedents. In December 1990, Jean Chretien won a Commons seat after being elected leader of the Liberal Party, in a by-election in the riding of Beausejour, New Brunswick, following Fernand Robichaud's departure. In 1993, he returned to his home turf by contesting Saint-Maurice.
In August 1983, Brian Mulroney captured a Commons seat via a by-election in Central Nova, Nova Scotia, replacing Elmer MacKay. He later returned to his home riding of Baie-Comeau for the 1984 election.
"Since Brian Mulroney, Poilievre is the most francophone and francophile Conservative leader we've had. This would signal a daring move on his part. Poilievre spent his early years in the West, built his professional career in Ontario, but capturing Quebec would position him for the Prime Minister's post, thereby covering the main regions of Canada," noted Duhaime.
- The Conservative Party is contemplating a possible return for Pierre Poilievre, with speculation suggesting he could contest a seat in Quebec.
- An intriguing suggestion is gaining traction among conservative ranks, proposing Pierre Poilievre to run in a Quebec riding, following his vacated seat in the 2021 election.
- Yan Plante, a former advisor to Stephen Harper, suggests that if the opportunity arises, Pierre Poilievre should consider a Quebec riding, as it would allow him to reshape his image, better understand Quebec, and give himself a second chance in Quebec.
- Eric Duhaime, leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec, supports the idea of Pierre Poilievre considering a Quebec riding, asserting that it would be a golden opportunity due to Poilievre's proficiency in French, his wife's Quebec heritage, and their bilingual children.
