The House Where do the Conservatives go from here?
Jan 31, 2026
Steve Outhouse, Conservative campaign manager, explains plans to soften messaging and broaden appeal. Stephanie Levitz, Globe and Mail senior politics reporter, analyzes the leadership review result and Poilievre’s toned-down speech. John Paul Tasker, CBC parliamentary reporter, reports from the Calgary convention on unity, separatism, and whether the party can win over new voters.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Toned-Down Speech Aimed At Statesmanship
- Poilievre softened tone and dropped theatrical slogans in his convention speech to appear steadier.
- He addressed national unity and US trade issues to project a prime-ministerial image rather than an opposition firebrand.
Hopeful Messaging Without Policy Flip
- Poilievre tried to swap combative messaging for hopeful, patriotic language to broaden appeal.
- He also insisted the party won't abandon conservative principles despite calls to change messaging.
Personal Path To Party Activism
- Tammy Troush described becoming involved after a family overdose and being drawn to Poilievre's drug-policy stance.
- She said affordability and crime messaging then aligned with her lived concerns and kept her engaged.