Pierre Poilievre appears set to stay on as Conservative leader, despite losing his seat in an election where the party made gains. With no immediate plan to return to Parliament, he’s shoring up support as questions swirl about what happens next.
While Carney makes his first major appearance as prime minister, Poilievre has been busy making calls and shoring up support for his leadership, after he vowed to stay on as party chief following Monday night’s election results.
The Conservative caucus will meet on Tuesday to decide on the party’s next steps. A source told CBC News that there is support for Poilievre to stay on, having grown the Conservative coalition during his time as leader despite his failure to form government and beat the Liberals.
Poilievre is no longer the leader of the Official Opposition; you have to hold a seat in the House of Commons to be eligible for the honorific. So he’s technically no longer entitled to live at Stornoway House, the official residence for whoever holds the title. The interim leader who replaces him could give him permission to stay for the time being.