Conservative Party of Canada

Conservative Party Leader

The leader of the Conservative Party is Pierre Poilevre. He was elected by the the party membership in September 2022, after the resignation of Erin O’Toole following caucus removal under the Reform Act. Candice Bergen, a Manitoba MP, served as interim leader and Leader of the Opposition in Canada’s Parliament.

Pierre Poilievre is a Member of Parliament from Ontario and represents the riding of Carleton.

Poilievre was born in Calgary, and was adopted as an infant. He is married to Anaida (Ana) Poilevre, who was born in Caracas, Venezuela.

Poilievre served as the Minister of Employment and Social Development in the government of Stephen Harper.

Provincial Conservative Parties

By its own constitution, the Conservative Party of Canada is not permitted to form provincial parties. However, it does in practice promote and maintain relationships with conservative parties at the provincial level. These provincial conservative parties include:

The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario led by Premier Doug Ford
The United Conservative Party of Alberta led by Premier Jason Kenney
The Saskatchewan Party led by Premier Scott Moe
The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba led by Premier Heather Stefanson
The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick led by Premier Blaine Higgs
The Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island led by Premier Dennis King
The Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia led by Premier Tim Houston
The Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador led by David Brazil
The Yukon Party led by Currie Dixon

British Columbia and Quebec have minor Conservative Parties.

In British Columbia, federal support mostly goes to the BC Liberal Party which is a coalition of Conservatives and Liberals in opposition to the other major provincial party in BC, the BC NDP.

In Quebec, federal Conservative support is split between the Quebec Liberal Party, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), and the Conservative Party of Quebec. The Quebec Liberal Party is the legacy party of federalist support in opposition to Quebec separatism.

Conservative Party colours

The official colour of the Conservative Party of Canada is blue (#0F2D52). The official secondary colour is red (#EA0029).

Conservative Party Slogan

The Conservative Party does not have an official slogan between elections. Previous election campaign slogans have included “It’s Time For You To Get Ahead” (2019), “Protect Our Economy” (2015), “Here for Canada” (2011), “[Stephane Dion is] Not a Leader” (2008), Stand Up For Canada” (2006), and “Demand Better” (2004).

Previous Conservative Party Leaders

Prior to interim leader Candice Bergen, there have been 5 leaders of the Conservative Party of Canada.

Erin O’Toole was elected leader of the Conservative Party in 2020 and contested the 2021 federal election. He was leader of the Party from August 24th, 2020 through until February 2nd, 2022.

Andrew Scheer, the Former Speaker of the House of Commons, led the Conservative Party in the 2019 election and held office as leader of the Opposition from May 27th 2017 to August 24th 2020.

Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose held office as Leader of the Opposition from November 5th, 2015 to May 27th, 2017.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper held the title of Conservative Leader from March 20th, 2004 to November 5th, 2015 and was Prime Minister from February 6th, 2006 to November 4th, 2015.

Dr. Grant Hill served as interim leader of the newly formed Conservative Party, and Leader of the Opposition from January 9th, 2004 to March 20th, 2004.

What does the Conservative Party Stand For?

Fiscal discipline

The Conservative Party has often been seen as a party of fiscal discipline, emphasizing balanced budgets and limited government spending that does not exceed economic growth. This principle was significantly challenged during the 2008 economic crisis, however, the government returned to fiscal balance by 2015.

Compassionate social policy

The Conservative Party has maintained a policy of compassionate social policy. In recent history, this has included same-sex marriage, and abortion rights. That said, the social conservative grassroots of the party have sought to change the party’s stance on abortion, with little success. Stephen Harper pledged not to legislate on the issue and maintained the status quo throughout his time as Prime Minister, while Andrew Scheer, despite his personal convictions, also maintained the Conservative policy.

On same-sex marriage, the Harper government position was to preserve the newly won right to marry for same-sex couples. However, in order to allow the party to move on from the issue, Harper made a compromise with social conservative members to allow one final unwhipped vote on the issue, knowing the initiative to overturn same-sex marriage rights lacked majority support in caucus.

An initial lack of clarity on social issues dogged Andrew Scheer in the 2019 election prompting subsequent leader Erin O’Toole to speak unequivocably in support of the Canadian status quo on both gay rights and abortion rights.

Equality and individualism

Conservatives favour individual rights and responsibilities versus a collectivist approach. This is reflected in Conservative support for freedom of speech, worship, and assembly, support for due process and property rights. Individual responsibility favours being held personally reponsible for our actions. This is often reflected in the Conservative approach to criminal justice and the principle that Canadians provide for themselves (instead of having government provide for them). As a founding principle of the party, Conservatives also believe that all Canadians are equal.

Monarchism

The Conservative Party was founded with a belief in honouring Our Sovereign (the Queen) as the Canadian head of state and to honour and protect the traditions of Canada’s monarchy. Conservatives believe in the institution of Parliament and the democratic process.

Decentralization of power

Conservatives favour the decentralization of power meaning in practice that those that make decisions on the behalf of Canadians should do so closer to where Canadians live, when possible. Provincial decision making is favoured.

Bilingualism

Though the modern Conservative Party does not have strong representation in French speaking parts of Canada, the founding principles emphasize the equality of English and French in Canada and their use in federal institutions.

Free markets and free trade

Conservatives believe in a free market economy minimally encumbered by government intervention. At the same time, the Conservative Party believes in a universal healthcare system that is available to anyone regardless of their ability to pay. Conservatives believe in free and fair bilateral and multilateral trade.

Conservative Party Election Platforms

How many seats does the Conservative Party have?

The Conservative Party sits as the official opposition in Parliament after winning 121 seats in the 2021 federal election. The Conservatives also previously held 121 seats as a result of the 2019 federal election. What does the Conservative Party do in official opposition? Quite simply, its constitutional role is to hold the government accountable and to check the government’s plan.

How do I join the Conservative Party of Canada?

Canadian and Permanent Residents over the age of 13 may join the Conservative Party of Canada. Membership is currently $15 per year and must be paid from one’s own personal funds. The party also requires that members support the founding principles of the Conservative Party of Canada and not hold membership in any other political party. Click here to join the party.

Why are Conservatives called ‘Tories’?

‘Tory’ is a colloquialism from British political tradition. The term origination as an insult from the Irish tóraí which means ‘one who is pursued [as an outlaw]’. In England, the Tories and the Whigs were the opposing factions to the Exclusion Crisis of 1678–1681. Whig was also an insult which meant ‘cattle driver’. The nickname for the Conservative Party of Canada’s chief rival – the Liberal Party – is ‘grit’, which is a wholly Upper Canadian invention that originated in 1850 from the ‘Clear Grit’ movement.