The Conservative caucus has tapped former leader Andrew Scheer to lead the party in the House of Commons when Parliament resumes on May 26, 2025. This leadership transition comes in the wake of Pierre Poilievre's loss of his seat in last week's election, a significant setback for the party.
"I'll be taking over the parliamentary leadership duties of the caucus until Mr. Poilievre rejoins us in the House," Scheer told reporters after emerging from an all-day caucus meeting on Parliament Hill. He pledged that the Conservatives would "do our very best as the official Opposition to hold the government to account" regarding the ongoing trade war with the United States. Scheer emphasized, "The threats of tariffs, the threats of annexation, all of that needs to stop."
Poilievre spoke to reporters for the first time since the election on Tuesday morning, stating that the Conservatives would spend the summer "listening carefully to people" following their electoral defeat. He expressed a mix of pride and disappointment about the results, noting that while the party secured 41.3% of the vote, the outcome was still unexpected. "If you had told me that we would get 41% of the vote a couple of years ago, I would have said, 'Wow, that's ambitious,'" he remarked. "But if you told me that we would get 41% of the vote and still not win, I would have said, 'You're crazy.'"
The election results were particularly harsh for the New Democratic Party (NDP), which saw its representation drop from 24 seats to just seven. The Liberal Party capitalized on this decline, picking up seven seats previously held by the NDP, while the Conservatives gained ten seats. The 143 Conservatives who were elected on April 28 gathered to analyze the results and discuss the Reform Act, which would enable the caucus to call for a leadership review.
While Scheer did not disclose the details of those discussions, reports from anonymous sources indicated that the caucus adopted the provisions of the Reform Act. This mechanism was notably used to oust former leader Erin O'Toole after the party's failure to defeat the Trudeau Liberals in the 2021 election. Scheer expressed confidence in Poilievre's leadership, stating, "I'm confident that our leader, Pierre Poilievre, will be able to make some adjustments to finish the job next time."
Michael Barrett, the former ethics critic who was re-elected in the riding of Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, echoed this sentiment, saying, "Everyone is very supportive. We're behind Pierre Poilievre." He acknowledged that the party needed to learn lessons from the campaign, emphasizing the importance of the discussions taking place within the caucus.
In a video posted to social media on May 5, Poilievre pledged to "learn and grow," indicating that his team would need to expand. However, he did not provide specifics about what this might entail for Jenni Byrne, the party's campaign manager, who faced criticism during the election as the party's lead in the polls diminished. Poilievre noted, "She did a lot of hard work and our team has a lot to be proud of."
Since the election results, several Conservative staffers, including Sebastian Skamski, Poilievre's press secretary, and Ben Woodfinden, the communications director, have left their positions. As the party navigates this transition, Poilievre is also preparing for another campaign, seeking a seat in the House of Commons. MP-elect Damien Kurek has announced his intention to resign from his seat in the rural Alberta riding of Battle River—Crowfoot to allow Poilievre to run in a byelection.
Kurek can only step down once he has been sworn in as a member of Parliament, a process that begins after Elections Canada formally certifies the results, expected to happen by May 19. Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated last week that he would call the byelection soon, providing a pathway for Poilievre to re-enter the House.
On May 6, 2025, Poilievre expressed gratitude to the constituents of Carleton, thanking them for electing him for over 20 years. He also reached out to Liberal MP-elect Bruce Fanjoy on the night of May 5 to congratulate him on his victory, with Fanjoy's campaign spokeswoman describing the call as polite, short, and cordial.
As the Conservative Party reflects on its recent electoral performance, it faces a critical juncture. The leadership of Andrew Scheer and the ongoing efforts to hold the government accountable amid the trade war with the United States will be pivotal in shaping the party's future direction. With the backdrop of significant electoral challenges and the need for introspection, the Conservatives aim to regroup and strategize for the next election cycle.
Moving forward, the party's ability to adapt to the shifting political landscape and respond effectively to the concerns of Canadians will be essential. The coming months will likely see a concerted effort to rebuild trust with voters and solidify the party's position as a formidable opposition force.
