Pierre Poilievre's run for the nation's top job will make a northern swing this weekend, including a stop in North Bay, Sunday afternoon.
When Poilievre shared his interest in making a move up the ladder shortly after Erin O'Toole's ouster following a Conservative Party of Canada leadership review, he looked into the camera during a promotional shoot and famously said, "I am running for Prime Minister."
Although the statement was mocked by some as having missed a step in the order of such affairs, the sitting Carleton MP since 2004 (formerly the Nepean–Carleton riding) and his growing base have embraced those words as their motto. Although Poilievre's own website acknowledges he is — first — vying for the leadership of the party, the language about running for PM is prevalent.
A staunch critic of the governance of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberals, the populist Poilievre also spoke in the House of Commons and beyond about his support for elements of the February convoy protest in Ottawa.
Poilievre will appear at the Elk's Club in North Bay, Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Prior to that, the leadership hopeful is also hosting meet and greets at the Quattro Hotel in Sault Ste. Marie, Friday at 6:30 p.m., at the Radisson Hotel in Greater Sudbury on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m., and at the McIntyre Curling Club in Timmins Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Poilievre has been drawing big crowds, upwards of 1,000 attendees, and he has been pressing the flesh, smiling for photos, and, most importantly at this stage of the party leadership race, selling party memberships. An important part of the lead-up is signing up new members and then touching base to make sure they properly fill out and mail ballots ahead of the June 3 deadline.
See related: Pierre Poilievre draws huge crowds, but which candidate will have the memberships?
There is a deadline of April 29 for candidates to submit the full $300,000 required in registration fees, a compliance deposit, and signatures from 500 party members. Poilievre is one of eight names to appear on the final ballot for the Conservative Party of Canada’s leadership race. In addition to Poilievre, the candidates include:
- Scott Aitchison (Parry Sound—Muskoka Conservative MP)
- Leona Alleslev (Former Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill Conservative MP)
- Roman Baber (York Centre Independent MPP)
- Patrick Brown (Brampton mayor)
- Jean Charest (Past Quebec Liberal premier)
- Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows - Maple Ridge Conservative MP)
- Leslyn Lewis (Haldimand—Norfolk Conservative MP)
With files from The Canadian Press and Sudbury.com
