Shocking upset: Canada’s conservative leader Pierre Poilievre unseated amid liberal victory

Department of Research, Studies and International News 02-05-2025

In a dramatic turn of events in Canada’s federal election, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has lost the parliamentary seat he has held since 2004, marking a significant setback for a politician once seen as a frontrunner to become the next prime minister. The defeat, handed to him by Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy in the Carleton riding, has thrown the future of the Conservative leadership into question.

Despite the Conservative Party increasing its overall share of the popular vote and winning additional seats in Parliament, the Liberal Party, now led by Mark Carney, emerged as the victor and will continue to govern. Carney’s win marks a new chapter for the Liberals after the departure of longtime leader and former prime minister Justin Trudeau.

Poilievre’s loss in his own constituency came as a major surprise. The Carleton district, located just south of Ottawa, had been a Conservative stronghold for years, with Poilievre winning it in seven consecutive elections. This time, however, he was unseated by a newcomer, Bruce Fanjoy, who was among 91 candidates on the ballot, many of whom were running as part of a broader call for electoral reform.

Speaking late Monday night, Poilievre conceded the election, acknowledging the defeat with measured optimism. “While we didn’t achieve the change we hoped for, we have much to be proud of,” he said. “We gained over 20 seats and sent a clear message. Real change is coming,  even if it takes time.”

Nevertheless, Poilievre now faces a major dilemma. Without a seat in the House of Commons, he cannot serve as the official leader of the opposition. This also puts into question whether he can remain at Stornoway, the designated residence for the leader of the opposition. If he intends to stay on as party leader, he would need a sitting Conservative MP to step down to trigger a by-election, a process that could take several months. Under Canadian law, a by-election can only be called between 11 and 180 days after a seat is declared vacant.

Internal tensions within the Conservative Party had already been brewing in recent weeks. Party insiders told The Guardian that dissatisfaction with Poilievre’s leadership was growing, and the loss of his seat may now intensify calls for a leadership review. One senior party member remarked, “Someone will have to take the fall. Whether it’s the leader or the campaign strategist, we failed to secure victory, and that has consequences.”

Poilievre’s political career began at a young age; he became the youngest Member of Parliament in Canadian history at 25 and rose to party leadership in 2022. Known for his combative rhetoric and populist approach, he positioned himself as a strong critic of Trudeau, even enjoying a commanding lead in polls at one point.

However, the political landscape shifted dramatically in recent months. As Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric toward Canada reignited nationalist sentiments, and Trudeau made way for Mark Carney, a wave of patriotism appeared to sweep across the electorate, and Poilievre, once seen as a disruptive reformer, was cast instead as part of the problem.

While the personal loss for Poilievre is significant, the Conservatives still managed to secure enough seats to form the largest opposition bloc in Canadian history. This gives them a powerful platform in Parliament, even if their leader will be watching from the sidelines for now.

Poilievre wasn’t the only high-profile leader to lose his seat. Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), also failed to retain his Burnaby riding. In a heartfelt speech, Singh announced his resignation from party leadership, saying, “Representing Burnaby Central has been the greatest honour of my life. The people have chosen a new voice, and I respect their decision.”

The NDP, which played a critical role in propping up Trudeau’s government after the 2021 election, suffered heavy losses, projected to retain only seven of their previous 24 seats. This dramatic fall may cost the party its official status, stripping it of important parliamentary privileges such as guaranteed speaking time and research funding.

Elsewhere, the Green Party’s co-leader Jonathan Pedneault was also unsuccessful in his bid to win a seat in Montreal, adding to the broader shift in Canada’s political terrain.

As Mark Carney addressed supporters in Ottawa, he reflected on the challenges ahead and the triumph of unity over division. “Trump wanted to break us,” he said, referencing the broader international pressures facing Canada. “But Canadians stood together. And tonight, we move forward together.”