Despite calls for change, Poilievre's campaign manager keeps an advisory role, firm on party payroll

National Post

2 days ago

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Byrne did not respond to a request for comment on why the contract she has with the party is with her firm and not directly with her.
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Two sources close to Byrne's thinking said she is still working in an advisory capacity with the party and with Poilievre but has been spending more time in Toronto and dedicating more hours to her lobbying firm ever since the Conservatives lost the election.
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'There's nothing to announce because nothing's really changed,' said one of them, who added there is currently 'no bad blood' with either Poilievre or his wife Anaida, who campaigned with her husband daily and has taken an active role within the party.
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Sources told National Post that Byrne is spending time on more focused issues, such as Poilievre's upcoming byelection in the rural Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot, set for Aug.18, as well as his upcoming leadership review.
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That review will be a crucial test for Poilievre, who will be the first Conservative leader to undergo such a review, given that his two predecessors either stepped down or were ousted by caucus before having the opportunity to do so.
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One Conservative MP, who spoke on condition of anonymity, called for Byrne to be removed, pointing to widespread dissatisfaction over how the party handled the nomination of its candidates, with dozens disqualified from running and others appointed last-minute in ridings across Ontario.
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The MP said there is an expectation that Poilievre demonstrates that he has changed, particularly when it comes to his tone and approach.
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While no formal election review has been triggered, Poilievre has been making calls, including to conservative and right-wing influencers, and speaking with candidates and MPs about what they want done, according to sources.
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Among the concerns expressed about the campaign have been the lack of visibility of candidates who ran for the party.
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Some Conservative insiders have noted that since the race, efforts have not gone unnoticed to give some of the newest Conservative MPs speaking time in the House of Commons. Poilievre himself also recently gave his first English interview to CBC, the public broadcaster he has vowed to cut public funding.
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At least two sources also expressed caution about parting ways with Byrne, given her skills as an organizer and the larger issue that Poilievre has, which is to demonstrate change and present himself as an alternative to Carney. Public opinion polls suggest Carney is enjoying a high level of support among Canadians and advancing Conservative-friendly ideas, such as getting major infrastructure projects built, such as pipelines.
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On Monday, National Post asked Poilievre if he was considering any changes to his team or his approach since the election. He said 'every election comes with lessons' and proceeded to explain how he needs to reach even more Canadians with his message.
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'Our mission is to give people back control of their lives, to make this a country where anyone who works hard gets a good life and that homes are affordable, streets are safe, immigration works for Canada first. Those are going to be the things we focus on,' he said.
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'At the same time, we have to ask how we can reach more people with that message. We ended up getting a tremendous result… but 41 per cent might not be enough in the future. So, we have to ask how we can expand even beyond that number,' he said.