Canada’s conservatives struggle as support collapses amid Trump controversy

Department of Research, Studies and International News 18-04-2025

Once considered a formidable contender for Canada’s top office, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is now facing a staggering decline in public support just days before the federal election. Earlier this year, his party appeared headed for a historic landslide, boasting a lead of over 25 points. But a dramatic shift in public sentiment, largely triggered by Donald Trump’s recent imposition of tariffs on Canada and aggressive rhetoric, has left the Conservatives lagging significantly behind the Liberals.

Poilievre, known for his combative political style and strong populist appeal, drew massive crowds at rallies and gained traction by criticizing rising living costs and targeting what he called “elitist politics.” Viral moments, including a clip of him dismissively responding to a journalist while eating an apple, earned him praise from American conservatives and bolstered his image as a fearless political fighter.

Yet that same pugnacious approach is proving divisive. While Poilievre remains popular among younger male voters, polling data shows widespread disapproval from women and centrist Canadians. In fact, he’s currently the most disliked federal leader in the country, and left-leaning voters have started consolidating behind Liberal candidate Mark Carney in an effort to prevent a Conservative victory.

As the only two televised debates approach, the Conservative campaign has been thrown into disarray. Internal disputes have erupted, with prominent conservative voices criticizing the strategy and execution of Poilievre’s campaign. Kory Teneycke, a seasoned political strategist, described the current campaign as a case study in failure, lamenting the party’s inability to maintain its once-commanding lead.

Meanwhile, the campaign has been forced to defend itself against accusations of mirroring Trump-era rhetoric. Supporters at recent rallies have used slogans such as “Too Big to Rig” and “Do You Believe the Polls?”, language reminiscent of U.S. election denialism. Liberal activists have seized the moment, distributing “Stop the Steal” buttons at Conservative events in a mocking jab at the parallels.

Despite the turmoil, party insiders remain cautiously optimistic, believing the race isn’t over just yet. With two weeks remaining, some argue there is still time to sway public opinion, especially if Poilievre manages to connect with undecided voters and present a more empathetic tone during the upcoming debates.

But with momentum rapidly fading, the Conservative campaign is scrambling to avoid what many now fear could be a historic political collapse.