What could an Ontario byelection say about Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre?
Global News
People living in the riding of Mississauga-Lakeshore will be able to vote in a federal byelection triggered by the resignation of former Liberal MP Sven Spengemann.
OTTAWA — Three months ago, Pierre Poilievre proved he was the populist fighter Conservatives wanted in the next federal election, winning the party’s leadership contest in a landslide.
But how much is he fighting to win over the first of the country’s voters to have their say during his tenure?
On Monday, people living in the Greater Toronto Area riding of Mississauga-Lakeshore will be able to vote in a federal byelection triggered by the resignation of former Liberal MP Sven Spengemann.
Despite saying that it’s time for change, federal Conservatives have been quick to dampen expectations for the contest — and any suggestion that its outcome is a reflection of Poilievre’s early leadership, or his message to Canadians.
For one thing, they cite an anticipated low voter turnout, with two weeks left until Christmas. Poilievre has also been busy staffing the party and his office on Parliament Hill. And the Liberals have held the riding for the past three elections, though Stephen Harper’s Conservatives won it in 2011.
But the biggest hurdle many trot out is the opponent Conservatives are up against. That’s former Ontario finance minister Charles Sousa, who represented a Mississauga riding for the provincial Liberals until his defeat in 2018. The Tories nominated Ron Chhinzer, a local police officer with a considerably lower profile.
Even Poilievre himself has laid low. A scan of his social media channels on Friday found no mention of the byelection or evidence of his presence in the riding, although some members of Parliament have visited.
Poilievre’s office didn’t respond to a question about whether he plans to campaign with Chhinzer. As of Friday, Poilievre was in Atlantic Canada.
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