Expert: Pierre Poilievre’s first Conservation Convention as party leader

Federal Conservatives are gathering in Quebec City this week for a policy convention that observers say presents as much political peril as opportunity. The convention, which starts Thursday in a province where the Tories have often sought to make gains, comes as polls indicate the party has been gaining support, with leader Pierre Poilievre regularly attacking the government on affordability issues. (The Globe and Mail)

Here is an expert from McGill University who can comment on this topic:

Daniel Béland, James McGill Professor, Department of Political Science and Director, McGill Institute for the Study of Canada

“At the Conservative Convention, many potentially controversial proposals on social and cultural issues are being debated by members. Yet, the economy and the cost-of-living crisis are the bread-and-butter issues Canadian care the most about right now. For Pierre Poilievre, a key thing at this time is to make sure the social and cultural issues some Conservative constituencies really care about do not overshadow his economic message.”

Daniel Béland is the Director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada and a James McGill Professor in the Department of Political Science. He specializes in the fields of Canadian and comparative politics, as well as the study of public policy, including social policy.

daniel.beland [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)