Who is Steve Outhouse, Pierre Poilievre’s new campaign manager?

Veteran conservative campaigner Steve Outhouse will replace Jenni Byrne, who will remain on as a senior adviser to Pierre Poilievre.

Pierre Poilievre has tapped a veteran Conservative campaigner to help steer the party through the next federal election.

Steve Outhouse, an affable Nova Scotian with deep roots in the federal Conservatives as well as provincial Tory parties, will serve as Poilievre’s campaign manager in the next federal campaign. It will be Outhouse’s first time running the national campaign.

Outhouse replaces Jenni Byrne, who publicly announced in August she would not continue in the role after last April’s election loss. Byrne told Global News Monday that she will remain as an adviser to both Poilievre and the party, and that she has spoken to Outhouse.

He joins Poilievre’s team at an interesting time for the party — still polling near 40 per cent support, but lagging behind the Liberals. Poilievre has also faced repeated questions about his leadership amid slumping popularity numbers, one MP crossing the floor and another heading for early retirement from federal politics.

Another federal election is unlikely in the immediate future — with the Liberals having passed their budget over the opposition of Poilievre and the Conservatives — but in a minority Parliament, Outhouse can’t bank on time to get the party campaign-ready.

Outhouse declined an interview request when reached in Saint John’s, Newfoundland, on Monday, where he is still working on newly-elected Premier Tony Wakeham’s transition team.

Conservative spokesperson Sarah Fisher confirmed Outhouse’s hiring, which was first reported by the Toronto Sun on Sunday.

A longtime Conservative staffer turned campaign consultant, Outhouse has recently run successful provincial conservative campaigns in Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as former New Brunswick premier Blaine Higgs’ unsuccessful bid for re-election last year.