OTTAWA - In a hard-fought election that saw the Conservative Party of Canada fall short of a majority, leader Pierre Poilievre addressed his supporters on the night of April 28, 2025, with a message of gratitude and determination. Despite trailing in his own riding of Carleton, Poilievre congratulated newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney on forming a minority government. "Canadians have opted for a razor-thin minority government, a virtual tie in the vote count, so I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Carney on leading this minority government," he stated, urging his supporters to respect the democratic process.
Poilievre's concession speech unfolded at the Conservative Party's election night headquarters in downtown Ottawa, where emotions ran high. "We could not be more grateful for the opportunity Canadians have given us," he expressed, acknowledging the hard work that lies ahead. He emphasized that the party had gained well over 20 seats, marking their best performance since 1988, when the Conservatives, led by Brian Mulroney, captured 43 percent of the popular vote.
Despite the positive gains, Poilievre recognized that they did not quite cross the finish line. "We know that change is needed, but change is hard to come by. It takes time. It takes work, and that’s why we have to learn the lessons of tonight to have an even better result the next time Canadians decide the future," he told the crowd. His words resonated with supporters who had come to witness a potential victory, only to find themselves grappling with a narrow loss.
As ballots continued to be counted, Poilievre was trailing Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy, who held a lead of 50.3% to Poilievre's 46.2% with 214 out of 266 polls reported. Many supporters were visibly emotional, with some hugging and crying as Poilievre delivered his speech alongside his wife, Anaida.
Throughout his campaign, Poilievre had rallied voters around the Conservative Party's motto, "Vote for Change," positioning himself as a champion for those disillusioned by the Liberal government. However, the political landscape shifted dramatically after Justin Trudeau's resignation and Carney's ascendance to leadership. Poilievre's earlier campaign attacks on Carney, branding him as "Carbon Tax Carney," backfired when Carney promptly eliminated the carbon tax as one of his first moves.
Despite the election's outcome, Poilievre maintained a tone of optimism. He noted that the Conservative Party improved upon its performance from the 2021 election, where it secured 119 seats. The results showed significant gains in regions such as Atlantic Canada and British Columbia, where the party capitalized on a collapse in NDP support while also gaining multiple seats from the Liberals in Ontario.
However, the Conservatives struggled to gain traction in Quebec, where the Liberals garnered support from the Bloc Québécois. Dimitris Soudas, a former spokesman for Stephen Harper, described Poilievre as "the big winner" despite the election loss, suggesting that the results were unexpected and indicative of the party's potential moving forward.
As discussions about Poilievre's leadership began to surface, Amanda Galbraith, a former adviser to Harper, highlighted the need for introspection within the party. "I think for the health of the party, it’s good to have two kicks at the can, but Conservatives are particularly aggressive when it comes to removing leaders they don’t feel can bring them forward," she noted.
In the wake of the election, some Conservative insiders pointed to what they termed "campaign malpractice," with Kory Teneycke, Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s former campaign manager, criticizing Poilievre's team for failing to capitalize on their earlier lead in the polls. This sentiment was echoed by Jamil Jivani, a Conservative incumbent, who publicly chastised Ford as an "opportunist" for his perceived failure to support the party's efforts more robustly.
Despite the challenges ahead, Poilievre assured his supporters that he would continue fighting for the Canadian people every day. "Every single day, our Conservative caucus and I will be holding the government to account on behalf of the millions of Canadians who believe in the message of change," he declared. He recounted the stories shared with him by everyday Canadians, from welders to single mothers, who expressed their struggles and aspirations. "These people continue to need voices, and I will continue to fight for them every day," he affirmed.
As the dust settles on this election, the Conservative Party faces a pivotal moment. With discussions already underway about leadership and strategy, Poilievre's ability to navigate the party through this challenging period will be closely watched. The results reflect not only the shifting political landscape in Canada but also the deep divisions among voters, underscoring the complexities of the current political climate.
In the end, Poilievre's message was clear: while the outcome may not have been what they hoped for, the fight for a better Canada continues. "We will never give up. We will carry those stories with us into Parliament. We will not forget the people for whom we work and for whom we fight every day," he concluded, leaving his supporters with a renewed sense of purpose as they look toward the future.
