Finance critic Pierre Poilievre launches bid for Conservative Party leadership

MP Pierre Poilievre is the first to throw his hat into the ring for the Conservative leadership race. In a video posted on Twitter, he didn't mention the party name but only that he's running for Prime Minister. Within hours, the video was viewed nearly 3 million times.

Pierre Poilievre is the first candidate to announce his intention to run for the Conservative Party. Experts say it comes at an interesting time.

CHCH News Parliament Hill correspondent, Christopher Guly says "In the span of one week you have protestors locking down downtown Ottawa, you have Erin O'Toole dumped as leader of the Conservative Party, you have Candace Bergen named interim leader and now you have Pierre Poilivre as the first declared candidate for the Conservative leadership. There's a connection." Degroote School of Business professor, Marvin Ryder says "It's a genius move to go in early like this. We talk about taking the oxygen out of the room meaning by declaring early he actually then scares anyone else who might be thinking about it."

Other possible leadership contenders include Haldimand Norfolk MP Leslyn Lewis, and Peter Mackay, a former cabinet minister as well as Brampton mayor Patrick Brown but parliamentary correspondent Chris Guly says Pierre Poilivre's chances are looking pretty good.

It didn't take long after the current finance critic posted the video for members of parliament to begin endorsing his run including Ontario MPs Melissa Lantsman and Marilyn Gladu. Poilievre has also spent the past week throwing his support behind the convoy of truckers in the nation's capital.

The race hasn't officially begun, as the party's election committee doesn't exist just yet and no rules have been released at this time.

[lanouek]

I voted Trudeau the first time and I've been disillusioned ever since. Mr Poilievre is a glimmer of hope

[edwardguydubuisson]

PIERRE POILIEVRE FOR PRIME MINISTER. He will end the mandates, and restore Freedom to Canada.

[m.d.]

Only Pierre deserve to be PM ! If not conservative will lose again!

[iamdros]

The True and Rightful King of the North 🇨🇦

[maplemumbai]

Younge people who believe in democracy, rights and freedom should vote for Pierre

[DavidMcCalister]

I work in the housing sector, and actively am trying to work towards housing affordability, with what Trudeau was offering was just terrible for housing affordability, essentially making it so young people and new Canadians can have more debt longer term is just evil. The conservatives hinted at more supply, but Poilievre actually has some concrete answers. I think the only thing I would add is that really low interest rates have also contributed to people taking on more debt and increasing the cost of housing as well as the subconscious belief in all Canadians that housing prices will continue to go up.... but people can't bear any more debt and at some point interest rates will go up and that belief will be shattered.... hopefully not like in the states in 2008-09, but we've lacked the leadership necessary to stop this from happening. My hope is that Trudeau ends of reaping what he has sown by not addressing this enormous issue, and that we don't have to suffer because of his childish complacency.... but either way, I think Poilievre could do something tangible to help us recover. Canada... don't let the clown that caused the problem act like he's solving it.

[Vergo_LoneWolf]

Finally someone who has my confidence I've been filling him for a long time and he's not afraid to ask the hard questions when it comes to the operations of the current government

[nasir_music]

If you keep your words and bring along like minded people who TRULY cares about Canada. You certainly GOT my vote Sir. Long live FREEDOM !!!

[colebertram]

Please make Canada a first world country again .

[cathyhumeniuk]

It is February 8th Tuesday and you are noticeably QUIET....come on Pierre...let your voice be heard at how the Feds are treating our Freedom want to hear from you now

[manditoemya]

He better be careful he will have WEF after him unfortunately...I hope He can win for PM.

[davei]

If Pierre wants to run the conservative Party,   dont you think he should rain in his own people first?   Doug Ford declared a state of emergency on the truckers,     and Kenny is still keeping the QR codes in Alberta,   so why should we trust a man that cant even take care of his own?  thanks  Dave

[jcoltrane]

The shifty eyed shopkeeper from a Spaghetti Western making a bid for mayoralty of Deadman’s Gulch.

[q_estionall]

🤮ENOUGH of the two faced career politicians. We need Chiefs and truckers and people who have not sold their souls to lead.

[johnbrown]

Any politician that says freedom that many times is just just like the used car salesman that says trust me. Everybody is frustrated and tired but don't with heart vote with your head.