Former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole says he has advised current leader Pierre Poilievre to tune out political drama and focus instead on long-term ideas that matter to Canadians.
Speaking as speculation grows about Poilievre’s future, O’Toole said leadership chatter, floor crossings and social media trends should not distract from the real task of presenting serious policy alternatives.
According to O’Toole, what matters most is whether Conservatives can offer a smart, practical and credible platform on issues such as trade, economic growth, defence and nation-building projects.
His comments come after Poilievre’s party suffered a fourth straight federal election defeat last year and has since faced declining poll numbers. The political landscape shifted dramatically after Donald Trump returned to the White House, Justin Trudeau left federal politics, and Mark Carney became Liberal leader.
A recent survey suggested a growing share of Conservative supporters believe the party should consider new leadership before the next election. However, Poilievre still received strong support from party delegates during a leadership review earlier this year, where a large majority voted to keep him in the role.
At the caucus level, there has been no clear sign of an organized movement against him. Several Conservative MPs have publicly backed his continued leadership.
The discussion around Poilievre has also intensified after several MPs crossed the floor, moves that helped strengthen the Liberals’ numbers in Parliament. Still, O’Toole says internal maneuvering should not become the party’s focus.
He argued that if Carney’s government fails to deliver on trade, infrastructure, military readiness or affordability, voters will look for a serious alternative — and Conservatives need to be ready with solutions rather than internal conflict.
O’Toole, who was removed as leader by caucus in 2022, said political success depends less on tactical drama and more on whether a party can show Canadians optimism, competence and a clear plan for the future.
His remarks come as he also joins the federal government’s new advisory council on Canada-U.S. trade, highlighting that national economic issues may now dominate the next phase of Canadian politics.