Pierre Poilievre: Journey From Being A Paper Boy To Canada's PM-Candidate
Pierre Poilievre, the combative Conservative leader known for his fiery speeches, is now closer than ever to the Prime Minister's Office. As Canada prepares for a federal election on April 28, Mr Poilievre finds himself in a two-way showdown with newly appointed Liberal leader Mark Carney. The 45-year-old has spent nearly two decades in Parliament.
Who Is Pierre Poilievre?
At 20 years of age, Pierre Poilievre had already written his political playbook. In an essay outlining what he would do as prime minister, he argued for smaller government, lower taxes, and more economic freedom - ideas he still champions today.
Now over two decades later, Mr Poilievre leads Canada's Conservative Party and is inching closer to the job he imagined decades ago. With Justin Trudeau stepping down and Mark Carney taking over as Liberal leader, the next election is shaping up to be a fierce contest between two sharply different visions for Canada.
While Mr Poilievre's Conservative Party has long led in national polls, the race has tightened since Trudeau's resignation, with Prime Minister Mark Carney emerging as a strong contender.
Early Life And Education
Pierre Poilievre was born in Calgary, Alberta, on June 3, 1979, to a teenage mother who gave him away. He was adopted shortly after birth by two school teachers. He grew up in a middle-class home in suburban Calgary.
Growing up in Calgary, Pierre Poilievre delivered newspapers for the 'Calgary Sun' and attended Henry Wise Wood High School. An early shoulder injury ended his stint on the wrestling team, prompting him to explore politics as a hobby.
At 14, he began attending local Tory meetings. By 16, Mr Poilievre was selling Reform Party memberships for former Conservative leader Jason Kenney, canvassing for campaigns, and attending party conventions. He graduated high school in 1997.
He went on to study international relations at the University of Calgary.
It was at university that he met Stockwell Day, a cabinet minister under former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Day was then running for leadership of the Canadian Alliance, a right-leaning party that would eventually merge into today's Conservative Party. Impressed by Mr Poilievre's energy and focus, Day brought him on board to help with outreach on campus.
Business
Pierre Poilievre co-founded a political communications company called 3D Contact with his friend Jonathan Denis, who later served in various high-ranking roles in Alberta's provincial government, including Minister of Justice and Attorney General. The company specialised in outreach and voter contact services, helping Mr Poilievre earn money before and during the early stages of his political career.
Political Career
After Stockwell Day's successful leadership bid, Pierre Poilievre moved to Ottawa as his assistant. One winter evening, Mr Poilievre told Stockwell Day he wanted to run for office himself.
He won his first seat (Nepean-Carleton) in 2004 at the age of 25, becoming one of the youngest Conservative MPs in the House. He defeated Liberal leader David Pratt and has held that seat ever since.
In Ottawa, Pierre Poilievre earned the nickname "Skippy" from colleagues and opponents alike due to his youthful energy and quick, often sharp, retorts in Parliament.
He served as Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and later to the Prime Minister. In 2013, he was appointed Minister of State for Democratic Reform, followed by a brief tenure as Minister of Employment and Social Development in 2015.
In September 2022, Poilievre won the Conservative Party leadership with a significant majority.
Rift With Donald Trump
Pierre Poilievre has frequently been compared to US President Donald Trump due to his populist rhetoric, confrontational style and use of social media to connect directly with supporters. Both politicians have positioned themselves as champions of the "common people" against perceived elites and have criticised mainstream media outlets.
While the style may seem familiar, Mr Poilievre's approach has taken a different turn, especially in foreign policy. For most of his career, he avoided international affairs. That changed when Trump reignited tensions between the US and Canada - first by casually suggesting that Canada should become America's "51st state", then through a trade war.
This forced Mr Poilievre to speak up. He responded with sharp words, rejecting Trump's remarks and declaring that he would always "put Canada first."
"While Canadians are slow to anger and quick to forgive, once provoked, we fight back. And we will fight back," Mr Poilievre said in a pointed address aimed at Trump in response to his latest tariffs. He also said Trump "stabbed America's best friend in the back."
Trump didn't take kindly to the pushback. In interviews with The Spectator and Fox News, he dismissed Mr Poilievre as "not MAGA enough" and "stupidly no friend of mine."
Controversies
Pierre Poilievre has promised the "biggest crackdown on crime in Canadian history," aiming to keep repeat offenders in jail and toughen sentences.
The Conservative leader once voted against legalising gay marriage in the early 2000s. Today, he says marriage equality is settled law.
Mr Poilievre has been vocal about vaccine mandates, opposing them during the pandemic. He also supported the 2021 Freedom Convoy, framing it as a stand for individual rights.
The 2021 Freedom Convoy was a protest led by Canadian truckers against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and pandemic restrictions.
He became a vocal critic of then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's handling of COVID-19 restrictions, calling for the removal of mandates and standing with those protesting the restrictions.
Perhaps one of his most controversial promises is his vow to scrap the federal carbon pricing system for industries, claiming it places an unnecessary burden on Canadian families. Critics argue this leaves unanswered questions about how his government would address the climate crisis.
Mr Poilievre has pledged to scrap the Liberal government's carbon tax, calling it "inflationary." He also plans to repeal the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act and the Impact Assessment Act - two laws he labels as "anti-energy" - and supports reviving the Energy East pipeline project.
Personal Life
In December 2017, Pierre Poilievre married Anaida Poilievre, a former Senate aide, in Portugal. They have two children - a daughter born in 2018 and a son in 2021. Anaida came to Canada as a child refugee from Caracas, Venezuela.
Pierre Poilievre has supported immigrant integration, saying that Canada doesn't need to be a "hyphenated society."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
3 hours ago
- First Post
From landslide to letdown: Has Starmer squandered his year of power? Labour's magnificent mandate under scrutiny
Keir Starmer completes a year as the UK prime minister on Friday, having won the mandate on July 4 last year. But today, he faces questions. Has Starmer's first year in office lived up to the promise of change he made after the landslide victory. read more Exactly a year ago, Sir Keir Starmer emerged on television screens across the world beaming with confidence, representing a change in the political and economic mindset of the United Kingdom. On July 4, 2024, Starmer had ended the political exile of the Labour Party that lasted a decade and a half with a resounding victory over the Conservative Party, which faltered under a short-lived but historic prime ministership of Rishi Sunak, the first Indian origin PM of the country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD By the evening of July 4 last year, King Charles III appointed Starmer as the third prime minister of his reign that began in 2022. Starmer-led Labour's victory seemed to offer the UK and King Charles some sense of stability. But a year later, Starmer stands as the least popular newly elected British prime minister, facing criticism that he has wasted a year in office when the UK needed a resolute leadership to deal with multi-pronged challenges emanating from across the Atlantic as well as the English Channel. The UK media is abuzz with reports speculating about Starmer's premature exit from office. At least two Labour MPs have gone public, in interviews with a national daily, to claim that Starmer could be removed within a few months. His Cabinet is not cohesive. The tears of his chancellor sent out an unmistakable signal that all is not well within the Starmer government or his Labour Party. So, what did Starmer do in one year to stand accused of having squandered not only a massive mandate but also people's faith in his political acumen? A new dawn, now looks like dusk A new dawn broke that day over central London as Keir Starmer stood before a jubilant crowd and declared, 'Change begins now. And it feels good, I have to be honest.' For millions, his words promised an end to years of chaos and decline. Twelve months on, that sunlight of hope feels dimmer, as the realities of government grind against the weight of expectation. After all, he was the architect of the Labour's turnaround. When Keir Starmer swept into Downing Street a year ago, the mood within the Labour Party was jubilant and the public expectation immense. After 14 years of Conservative rule, Labour's landslide victory — securing a 174-seat majority and 411 MPs — was hailed as a watershed moment for Britain. Starmer had spent nearly five years overhauling and rebranding his party and he promised a new era of 'national renewal' and a government that would 'restore Britain to the service of working people'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Yet, just one year later, the optimism of that summer morning has faded. The government's standing in opinion polls is now poor, with Labour's support plummeting from 34 per cent at the time of the election to just 24 per cent, trailing Reform UK by five points. And the Charmer Starmer faces tough questions in Westminster now. A modest vision, modest results Starmer's pitch to the electorate was deliberately unflashy. Unlike Tony Blair's 'third way' revolution, Starmer offered a set of 'foundations' and 'missions' — from economic stability and secure borders to National Health Service (NHS) reform and clean energy. These were accompanied by milestones and targets, some precise, others frustratingly vague. The hope was that this measured approach would bring order after years of political chaos. However, critics argue that the government's ambitions were too modest to begin with, and progress on even these limited goals has been painfully slow. Starmer's main mission — to kickstart economic growth — has delivered just 0.8 per cent growth since the election, ranking Britain around third in the G7 and far behind the United States, which grew by 13 per cent over the previous five years. Business confidence has turned negative, not helped by Chancellor Rachel Reeves' decision to raise employers' national insurance contributions and introduce a workers' rights bill, both of which have angered businesses. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The cost of stability Starmer's first 'foundation' was economic stability: low inflation, stable public finances, and an end to policy flip-flops. Yet inflation remains 1.4 percentage points above its two per cent target, and 10-year gilt yields have hit a 17-year high. Reeves' first budget in October 2024 introduced the largest tax rises since 1993, setting the tax burden to its highest level in recorded history. The government also axed winter fuel payments for around 10 million people, a move that drew widespread criticism. On public finances, Reeves has focused on 'unlocking' private-sector investment, arguing that there is 'not a huge amount of money' for public spending. Several infrastructure projects have been cancelled, and surplus public sector land is being sold off. The government's cautious approach has left many feeling that the promised 'change' has yet to materialise. Amid all this, while Starmer got the blame for all that is wrong with Britain today, he tried to shake it off by indicating loss of confidence in Reeves, who broke down in Parliament. Her tenure looked certain to be curtailed. Hours later, however, Starmer made a U-turn, assuring that she will complete her full term. But by that time, the damage had been done. All the major newspapers of the UK had the photograph of a teary Reeves on their front pages. Starmer had failed to charm the British people. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Immigration, borders and backlogs On immigration, Starmer pledged to 'dismantle' the networks of people-smugglers and reduce net migration. The government established a £150 million border-security initiative and introduced visa restrictions, but the number of small-boat migrants surged to 43,309 in the year to June 2025 — a 38 per cent increase on the previous year. Net migration did fall by half to 431,000, but this was largely expected after a spike in 2023. Efforts to clear the asylum backlog have had limited success: the number of cases awaiting assessment dropped by seven per cent to 110,000, and the use of hotels to house asylum-seekers fell by six per cent to 32,000. However, the government's pledge to 'smash the gangs' of people-smugglers has so far proved fruitless. NHS and public services: Stubborn challenges The NHS remains a critical battleground. Labour set a milestone for 92 per cent of people referred for consultant-led care to be seen within 18 weeks. In reality, 6.2 million people — one in 10 Britons — are still waiting, and only 60 per cent are seen within the target time. The government's push to prevent illness, speed up discharges, and adopt AI has yet to yield significant improvements. On housing, Labour's ambitious target of adding 1.5 million homes in five years looks increasingly unrealistic. Net additions to England's housing stock were just 201,000 in the year to March — the lowest in nine years. A planning bill is crawling through Parliament, expected to boost housebuilding by 25 per cent in the long run, but not enough to close the gap. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Internal strife and waning authority Perhaps most damaging for Starmer has been the growing dissent within his own party. The recent political showdown over his welfare package forced him to abandon planned welfare cuts. In the face of a rebellion, Chancellor Reeves was reduced to tears in Parliament. Over 120 Labour MPs have openly rebelled on key votes, raising questions about Starmer's authority and ability to hold his party together. The government's most nebulous mission — breaking down barriers to opportunity — has seen little progress. Targets for early-years education and social mobility remain distant, and critics say the government's approach lacks both ambition and urgency. One year after Labour's historic victory, the government's performance index — measuring progress on key areas from immigration to the environment — shows only minimal improvement from its post-Brexit low point. Public dissatisfaction is palpable, with many voters more concerned about their personal finances, the cost of living, and basic public services than the government's broader missions. Starmer's allies argue that he inherited a country in crisis and that meaningful change takes time. But as Labour's poll ratings tumble and internal divisions grow, the risk is that the party's once-magnificent mandate could slip away before real change is delivered. The verdict, so far, is sobering: from landslide to letdown, Starmer's first year in office has been marked by slow progress, mounting challenges, and a growing sense that the promise of national renewal remains unfulfilled. Starmer, however, remains the most formidable Labour leader. It might be too early to write an epitaph of the leader who was hailed both as charismatic and capable only a year ago. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
19 hours ago
- First Post
Big win for Trump: Mega bill clears House Republican test, now ready for vote
After over seven hours of lobbying and negotiations, the US House of Representatives have finally moved a step closer to passing US President Donald Trump's highly controversial Big Beautiful Bill. read more US President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Vice President JD Vance and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson applaud behind him. Reuters After over seven hours of lobbying and negotiations, the US House of Representatives have finally moved a step closer to passing US President Donald Trump's highly controversial Big Beautiful Bill. In the late-night session on Wednesday, the Republicans finally managed to overcome opposition from Conservative members of the party who had threatened to block the bill by holding votes. This is a developing story.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
19 hours ago
- First Post
Who made Britain's Finance Minister Rachel Reeves cry in parliament?
Britain's Chancellor Rachel Reeves had an emotional meltdown in the UK parliament. The finance minister was seen crying during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) with the Opposition's Kemi Badenoch saying she looked 'absolutely miserable'. But what led to the distressing moment? read more Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves appears tearful during the Prime Minister's Questions (PMQ) session in the House of Commons. AFP It's not often you see politicians crying in public; at least not in Parliament. But that's exactly what happened on Tuesday as UK's Chancellor Rachel Reeves was seen in tears during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons. Soon after the emotional scenes unfolded in the House of Commons, it became a huge talking point on social media with many criticising the Chancellor. The markets also reacted immediately, with the value of the pound plummeting against the dollar due to uncertainty over Reeve's future in the role. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But what triggered Reeves to cry? Was it the hard questions being posed during the PMQs, was it a personal issue as her spokesperson stated, or was it a row with another Labour MP that caused the chancellor to break down emotionally? What unfolded in the House of Commons? The session in the House of Commons on Tuesday was set to be fiery as the Keir Starmer-led government U-turned over key welfare spending cuts, wiping out a multibillion-pound boost to public finances and triggering speculation that Chancellor Rachel Reeves could lose her job. Starmer's U-turn has left an almost £5 billion black hole in Reeves' plans, leading to the possibility that she will have to raise taxes, something that she has repeatedly ruled out. And as session began, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch laid into the government over its own U-turns. She charged that the chancellor would now have to raise taxes 'to pay for his incompetence' and asked if she would still be chancellor at the next election. Badenoch then added that Reeves looked 'absolutely miserable'. 'Labour MPs are going on the record saying the chancellor is toast and the reality is that she is a human shield for his incompetence. 'In January, he said she would be in post until the next election. Will she really?' challenged Badenoch. Rachel Reeves appeared to be crying on the Labour frontbench today. Sir Keir Starmer refused to guarantee her future as Chancellor during Prime Minister's Questions.#Politics #PMQ #Labour — Channel 5 News (@5_News) July 2, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The British PM, however, dodged the question and replied that Badenoch 'certainly won't'. To which, she responded, 'How awful for the Chancellor that he couldn't confirm that she would stay in place.' Amid this back and forth, Chancellor Reeves was spotted wiping tears away from her cheek. As the session came to an end, Reeves was seen holding her sister, Ellie Reeves' hand in an apparent show of support. Was tiff with Speaker the reason for Reeves' tears? Some sources note that Chancellor Reeves' tears was a result of a bust-up she had with PM Starmer just before arriving in the chamber. However, the office of the PM and the chancellor has denied this claim. Reports of a bust-up with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner were also denied. However, other sources speaking to various news outlets pointed to the fact that Reeves had earlier been chastised by Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle for giving long answers during Treasury questions. Britain's Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle in London, Britain. An apparent bust-up with him is believed to be the cause of Reeves's tears in parliament. File image/Reuters It is reported that during the questions in the House of Commons, the Speaker had asked her three times to be more brief in her answers. The Telegraph notes that on the third time, he interrupted her and she replied: 'Oh, alright then.' When asked about her tears and the so-called disagreement with the speaker, Reeves' team refused to comment, arguing that it was 'a personal matter'. 'As you would expect, we are not going to get into,' her spokesman said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What came next? Soon after the Chancellor's emotional moment, dubbed as 'waterworksgate' by some, social media was abuzz — some criticising Reeves, others extending comfort to her. One social media user wrote, 'I actually want to see Rachel Reeves cry more.' Another added on, 'Oh no Rachel Reeves is pretending to cry. It's a circus. Eastenders is more believable and does considerably less damage.' But some also came out in her defence. One X user wrote, 'It doesn't matter what you think of Rachel Reeves this is a picture of a woman who has been crying a lot and overnight too to have such swollen eyes. Leave her alone. She's a politician yes, but she's a human being in distress. It's not ok to demand to know why or make her account for it.' Away from social media, Reeves' tears also saw an impact on the UK markets. The pound dropped by one per cent against the dollar, ending its strong run against a weaker US currency. Moreover, borrowing costs also soared in one of the biggest single-day moves since October 2022 when markets were in turmoil after former Prime Minister Liz Truss' mini-budget, which eventually led to her downfall. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves. File image/Reuters How has PM Starmer reacted? Following the drama, British PM Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said extended support to his finance minister, saying she would remain in her role for 'a very long time to come'. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Political Thinking, Starmer said that Reeves was 'doing an excellent job as chancellor'. He further insisted that Reeves' tears had 'nothing to do with politics'. When pushed on the welfare U-turns, he responded, 'That's absolutely wrong. It's nothing to do with what's happened this week. It was a personal matter for her, I'm not going to intrude on her privacy by talking to you.' Downing Street has also said Reeves has the PM's 'full backing'. Asked why Starmer did not confirm in the Commons that he still had faith Reeves, the PM's press secretary said: 'He has done so repeatedly. 'The Chancellor is going nowhere. She has the prime minister's full backing.' The secretary also added, 'He has said it plenty of times, he doesn't need to repeat it every time the Leader of the Opposition speculates about Labour politicians. The Chancellor and the prime minister are focused entirely on delivering for working people.' With inputs from agencies
