Poilievre vows to stay on as leader, confident in party’s gains and upcoming byelection comeback

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre remains confident in his leadership, asserting there will be no internal coup to oust him from his role.

When asked about his confidence in the party’s performance, Poilievre emphasized the gains made by the Conservative Party, noting they received 2.4 million more votes and secured 25 additional seats, marking the biggest vote count and increase in the party's history.

He remains determined to lead the party forward, stating, "We are going to continue to work to get over the finish line."


As Poilievre prepares for the upcoming byelection, the Conservative Party has appointed former leader Andrew Scheer as the interim Leader of the Opposition until Poilievre's anticipated return to Parliament.

Also Read: Poilievre’s love for Alberta, or lust for power?

The 2025 Canada federal election

Poilievre lost his long-held Ottawa-area seat of Carleton in the 2025 federal election to Liberal newcomer Bruce Fanjoy, a stay-at-home dad who ran a grassroots campaign focused on local engagement. Poilievre had represented Carleton for nearly 21 years. His loss came amid a broader Liberal victory under Prime Minister Mark Carney, who secured a fourth consecutive term for the party.

Poilievre's loss in Carleton has been attributed to various factors, including his perceived alignment with far-right ideologies and support for the Canada convoy protest during the pandemic. Additionally, the riding saw a significant demographic shift, with suburbanization and an influx of public servants concerned about potential job cuts under a Conservative government.

The election was influenced by external factors, including US President Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies and controversial remarks about Canada, which galvanized support for the Liberals.

Also Read: Pierre Poilievre fights to stay on as Conservative leader after election loss

After Poilievre’s defeat

Following Poilievre's defeat, Conservative MP Damien Kurek announced he would resign from his seat in the safe Conservative riding of Battle River-Crowfoot in Alberta, allowing the former to run in a byelection. Kurek, who won his seat with 82.8 percent of the vote share, stated, "My belief remains today that Pierre Poilievre is the right man to be prime minister of Canada.”

What does the law say

According to the federal law, Kurek must serve as an MP for 30 days before officially resigning, meaning the earliest the byelection could occur is at the beginning of August. Prime Minister Carney has promised not to delay the process, ensuring the byelection happens as soon as possible.