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Poilievre Announces Bid For Tory Leadership

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Pierre Poilievre has become the first person to announce his intention to run for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada.

In a video posted to Twitter, Poilievre made note of the high cost of living that Canadians are experiencing before declaring his bid to be the next prime minister.

“See, here’s the problem, Trudeau thinks he’s your boss. He’s got it backwards – You are the boss. That’s why I’m running for Prime Minister,” Poilievre said.

A Member of Parliament for the Ontario riding of Carleton, Poilievre was first elected in 2004 to the riding of Nepean-Carleton, which was re-established ahead of the 2015 federal election.

Under the Stephen Harper government, Poilievre served as Minister for Democratic Reform and Minister of Employment and Social Development.

Poilievre has used his current role as the party’s finance critic to frequently take aim at the record levels of inflation being recorded in Canada.

The 42-year-old is the first person to publicly announce his intention to run in the Tory leadership race since Erin O’Toole was ousted last week. Candice Bergen was voted in as the interim tory leader.

The announcement comes before the party has created an election committee, and thus no rules have been released.

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Candice Bergen Chosen As Interim Leader Of Conservatives

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The Conservative Party of Canada has a new interim leader.

Manitoba MP Candice Bergen takes over from Erin O’Toole, who was voted out in a ballot among party members yesterday.

Bergen has been an MP since 2008, and served as the Opposition House Leader for four years.

73 MPs voted against O’Toole as leader, while 45 were in favour of him staying in the role.

Bergen will stay on as the Conservatives face their third party leadership race since 2015.

In a goodbye video posted to Twitter, O’Toole said it has been an honour of a lifetime to lead the Conservatives over the past year.

The outgoing leader offered some parting thoughts after he officially submitted his regisnation.

“This country needs a Conservative party that is both an intellectual force and a governing force. Ideology without power is vanity. Seeking power without ideology is hubris,” said O’Toole.

He went on to say that the country is facing a “dire moment” of division, pointing to the ongoing protests in Ottawa.

“So my message to my party is the same I will give to the prime minister and members of Parliament on all sides of the House of Commons — audi alteram partem — hear the other side,” said O’Toole.

“Listen to all voices, not just the echoes from your own tribe. Realize that our country is divided and people are worried. Work together because how we as leaders act now will define the next generation.”

O’Toole plans to stay on as MP for his Ontario riding of Durham.

With files from Brad Perry.