Politics in Canada just doesn't sit still anymore. If you've been watching the news lately, you know the vibe in Ottawa has shifted from "wait and see" to a full-blown sprint. Honestly, the question of who is running for prime minister in Canada 2025 Conservative became the only thing people were talking about at coffee shops from Red Deer to Rimouski.
It wasn't just another election year. It was a total reset.
For a long time, the script seemed written in stone. Pierre Poilievre was the guy. He had the momentum, the "Axe the Tax" slogans, and a massive lead in the polls that looked like a mountain nobody could climb. Then, things got weird. Between the sudden leadership change in the Liberal party and some pretty aggressive trade threats from south of the border, the 2025 race turned into a rollercoaster that nobody—not even the most seasoned pundits—saw coming.
The Man in the Blue Tie: Pierre Poilievre’s Fight
Let's get straight to the point. When you ask about the who is running for prime minister in Canada 2025 Conservative candidate, the answer starts and ends with Pierre Poilievre. He’s been the captain of the ship since 2022. He didn't just win that leadership race; he demolished it.
Poilievre isn't your typical "polite Canadian" politician. He’s sharp. He’s aggressive. He’s what a lot of people call a "parliamentary attack dog." His whole campaign for the April 28, 2025, election was built on one big idea: common sense. He spent years hammering away at the cost of living, housing prices that make your eyes water, and a government he claimed was just too big for its own boots.
But here is the thing.
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The 2025 election didn't go exactly to plan for the Conservatives. Even though they actually won the popular vote—getting about 33.7% of the total ballots cast—they didn't get the most seats. That’s the quirk of our system. They ended up with 119 seats, staying as the Official Opposition while Mark Carney and the Liberals took the driver's seat with 160.
Why Poilievre is Still the Big Name
You might think losing an election means you're out. Not in this case. Poilievre is still the leader. As of early 2026, he’s still the face of the party. He even moved ridings! He used to represent Carleton, but after a bit of a localized upset there, he’s now the MP for Battle River—Crowfoot.
He’s currently gearing up for a big convention in Calgary at the end of January 2026. There’s going to be a leadership review. Usually, that’s a "nervous" time for leaders, but most experts think he’s going to sail through it. Why? Because the Conservative base is still incredibly loyal to him. They see him as the only person who can go toe-to-toe with the Liberals on the economy.
The "What If" Candidates and the Shadow Cabinet
Politics is a game of "what if." While Poilievre is the undisputed leader, people always whisper about who else might have stepped up if things had gone differently. You’ve probably heard names like Andrew Scheer or Melissa Lantsman.
Scheer is a veteran. He’s the House Leader for the Opposition now. He’s been in the top job before, so he knows where all the bodies are buried, so to speak. Then you have Lantsman, who is one of the deputy leaders. She’s incredibly articulate and represents a more urban, diverse version of the party that many think is key to winning the 2029 or 2030 election.
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- Melissa Lantsman: Deputy Leader, huge social media presence, very focused on urban issues.
- Tim Uppal: The other Deputy Leader, brings a lot of weight from Western Canada.
- Andrew Scheer: The "steady hand" in the House of Commons.
If Poilievre ever decided to hang up the skates, these are the folks who would likely be at the starting line. But for now, they are squarely in his corner.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2025 Race
There’s a huge misconception that the Conservative platform was just "Trudeau is bad." That’s a lazy take.
By the time the April 2025 election rolled around, the focus had shifted. It was about survival. The U.S. was threatening massive tariffs, and there was even some wild talk about annexation from certain political circles in Washington. This forced the Conservatives to pivot.
Poilievre started talking a lot more about "economic sovereignty." His pitch wasn't just about cutting taxes; it was about making Canada a place that could stand on its own two feet if the U.S. decided to play rough. He promised to slash regulations to get houses built faster—basically telling cities that if they didn't approve permits, they wouldn't get federal cash. It was a "tough love" approach that resonated deeply in the prairies and parts of suburban Ontario, even if it didn't quite push them over the finish line in the Maritimes or Quebec.
The Elephant in the Room: The 2026 Calgary Convention
Looking ahead is just as important as looking back. Right now, the Conservative party is at a bit of a crossroads. The upcoming convention in Calgary is a big deal.
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Members are going to be debating some heavy stuff. We’re talking about things like private healthcare options, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies, and even the party's stance on abortion, which Poilievre has tried to keep on the back burner to avoid scaring off moderate voters.
It’s a balancing act. If the party leans too far to the right to please the grassroots, they risk losing the "905" ridings around Toronto that they need to win a majority. If they stay too moderate, the base gets restless. Poilievre’s job is to keep both sides happy enough to stay united.
The Actionable Reality of Canadian Politics
If you're trying to keep track of who is running for prime minister in Canada 2025 Conservative, you have to look at the current power structure in the House of Commons.
- Follow the House Leader: Watch Andrew Scheer’s moves. He’s the one coordinating the daily attacks on the government’s budget.
- Monitor the Poll Tracker: Even though the election is over, polling for 2026 is already starting. It shows how the public is reacting to the new Liberal government under Mark Carney.
- Watch the Calgary Convention (Jan 29-31, 2026): This is where the real power dynamics will be revealed. If Poilievre gets a 90%+ approval rating, he’s untouchable. If it’s lower, the "who is running" questions will start all over again.
The political landscape in Canada is more volatile than it has been in decades. Between the shift in Liberal leadership and the ongoing economic pressure from the south, the Conservatives are essentially a "government in waiting." They aren't just an opposition party; they are a massive organization waiting for the next crack in the Liberal armor.
Keep an eye on the by-elections. That’s where you’ll see the next generation of Conservative stars starting their run. Places like Battle River—Crowfoot aren't just dots on a map; they are the strongholds where the next chapter of Canadian conservatism is being written.
Stay informed by checking the official House of Commons records for member roles and following legitimate news outlets like the CBC or the Globe and Mail for convention updates. The leadership review in Calgary will be the next major milestone that determines if the party stays the course with Poilievre or starts looking for a new path to the Prime Minister's Office.