Commonwealth_ Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper endorsed Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre at a high-profile rally in Edmonton on Monday night. The event was anticipated to be the largest of Poilievre’s campaign to date and marks a significant moment in the Conservative Party’s bid to form the next federal government.
The rally that was held at a business park located in the southern part of Edmonton drew thousands of supporters. Alberta has long been a Conservative stronghold, with the party currently holding the majority of federal seats in the province. Despite this, the Edmonton rally is the first of its kind in Alberta during this election campaign, underlining the strategic importance of energizing the party base in a province known for its deep-rooted support for the Tories.
Pierre Poilievre has already held several successful rallies across the country as part of his election campaign. Crowds have gathered in large numbers in smaller communities, including Hamilton and Kingston in Ontario, as well as Penticton in British Columbia. These stops have helped the Conservative leader build momentum ahead of the coming election, particularly in regions where the party hopes to flip Liberal or NDP-held ridings.
Harper’s appearance at the Edmonton event is particularly significant. As the country’s prime minister from 2006 to 2015 and a prominent figure in modern Canadian conservatism, Harper remains an influential voice within the party. Although he stayed out of the party’s leadership races in both 2017 and 2020, he broke his silence in 2022 to offer his endorsement of Pierre Poilievre. At the time, Harper cited Poilievre’s strong communication skills, clear messaging, and principled stance on economic issues as key reasons for his support, adding that he believed Poilievre was the best candidate to lead the party to victory in a general election.
Since receiving Harper’s endorsement, Poilievre has worked to present a more unifying and disciplined image, appealing to both the party’s base and undecided voters across Canada. Harper’s presence at the rally is expected to underscore the continuity and shared vision between the two leaders, as well as rally older Conservative supporters who remain loyal to Harper’s legacy.
The political landscape, however, has shifted considerably recently. Early in 2025, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation, paving the way for a new Liberal leadership. Mark Carney, a former central banker, succeeded Trudeau and assumed leadership of the Liberal Party. Poilievre indicated that Mark Carney is part of a global elite that hides their wealth in tax havens. Both the NDP and the Tories have criticized Carney for allegedly helping Brookfield Asset Management, where he served as vice chairman and shareholder, evade billions of dollars in Canadian taxes.
Recently Canada has seen an increase in living expenses, global instability, and renewed trade tensions, particularly with the United States.
As the election draws near, the race between the Conservatives and Liberals has grown increasingly competitive. With Harper stepping back into the public spotlight to endorse and support Poilievre directly, the Conservatives are hoping to galvanize support and demonstrate party unity. The rally on Monday night represented more than just a mere campaign stop; it marked the transition from one Conservative leader to another and could be a pivotal moment in the contest for Canada’s next prime minister.
