The chair of the federal Conservative Party’s powerful fundraising arm said Friday the Tories are flush with cash and they’ll spend more money than previously planned to roll out additional ads touting leader Pierre Poilievre.
As part of Poilievre’s summer rebrand, the party has deployed a multimillion-dollar ad campaign that depicts the leader as a family man.
One is narrated by his wife, Ana Poilievre, and features the leader at home with their daughter, Valentina.
In another ad, Poilievre softly recites his key message.
“Everything seems broken in Canada. Unaffordable. Unsafe. Divided. But we can put the pieces back together,” he says while playing with a puzzle.
Conservatives reintroduce Pierre Poilievre with $3M ad campaign
The Conservative Party of Canada is reintroducing leader Pierre Poilievre to Canadians with a $3 million ad campaign that some insiders say is a move to rebrand him with a softer image.
Long known for attack-dog-style in Parliament, the ads are part of a deliberate effort to soften his image and make him more appealing to swing voters in key ridings.
The ads have shown up on TV — including during highly rated late-summer Toronto Blue Jays games — radio, digital platforms and in print media.
‘More ads ready to go’
Based on their apparent success so far, Rob Staley, the Conservative Fund chair and former prime minister Stephen Harper’s ex-lawyer, said the party will use its surplus to roll out similar ads in the coming months.
“The campaign has been and continues to be successful. We have more ads ready to go,” Staley said in an early morning address to delegates assembled in Quebec City for the party’s policy convention.
“We have a lot more to tell Canadians about the failures of the Trudeau government and we’re going to do just that,” he said.
“We’re going to spend more than budgeted on advertising and going on tour.”
The party is determined to get an edge up on the governing Liberals and spend more than they do before the next election, Staley said.
The Conservative Party retired all 2021 election-related loans last year and all the cash pouring in now is earmarked for the fund’s “principal objective” — defeating Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his party in the next campaign, he said.
Looking for more from donors
The party has already set aside money for the next election and it plans to spend the maximum amount it can under the Elections Canada spending cap of roughly $30 million, Staley said.
The fund chair wouldn’t say just how much is in the party’s election bank account but he added that the party plans to take on as little debt as possible.
To accomplish that, Staley said the party will be asking donors to dig a little deeper and send more cash to party headquarters.
What’s up with Pierre Poilievre’s new look?
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has ditched the glasses and started wearing more casual clothes in a bid to widen his appeal to voters.
The party has set non-election year fundraising records in the first and second quarters of 2023, with more than $16 million collected, easily outpacing the Liberals — and Staley’s determined to keep up the momentum.
“I make no apologies for the calls, emails and texts we send — I know people don’t always like to get them — because they’re critical to achieving the goal that we all share. We will not be reluctant to ask for more,” Staley said.
“We are a year into Pierre’s leadership this week and we have accomplished so much but much more needs to be done.”
That includes more stops on Poilievre’s cross-country tour. Poilievre’s jam-packed summer schedule was designed to highlight the government’s perceived failures on inflation, affordability and housing.
Poilievre will address convention delegates in a prime-time address Friday night. Observers say it’s the most important speech of his leadership so far.
New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)
Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.
Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.
In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.
As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.
Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.
Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.
Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.
Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.
With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.
NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.
Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.
The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.
Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.
Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
