As the Conservative Party prepares for its leadership review in January, Pierre Poilievre faces a mixed picture of support. A new survey from the Angus Reid Institute finds 58 percent of recent Conservative voters want him to remain leader, down from 68 percent in August. While Poilievre maintains strong backing among the party’s core supporters, support drops sharply among those who might only consider voting Conservative. Among this group, 61 percent want a new leader.
Poilievre’s national profile has also weakened. Sixty percent of Canadians view him unfavourably, while only 34 percent see him positively. Many Canadians believe the Conservative Party under Poilievre has shifted too far to the right, a perception particularly strong among centrists who make up the country’s largest political group. Even in Conservative strongholds like Alberta and Saskatchewan, Poilievre’s support for remaining leader is not overwhelming.
The party faces a critical challenge heading into the next election. To form government, it must win votes beyond its right-leaning base, appealing to centrist Canadians who currently view Poilievre and the party with suspicion. While he remains unlikely to face a serious leadership challenge in January, Poilievre’s ability to broaden his appeal will likely determine the Conservatives’ prospects in the next federal election.
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