The Conservative Party of Canada is set to convene in Calgary next week for a pivotal national convention, marking its first major gathering since the party's defeat in the 2025 federal election. The event, scheduled from January 29 to 31 at the BMO Centre, will bring together grassroots members and MPs for policy discussions and a critical review of Leader Pierre Poilievre's performance.
Leadership Under the Microscope in Poilievre's Hometown
Returning to his hometown of Calgary, Pierre Poilievre will be the central focus of the convention. The weekend's agenda includes a formal leadership review, culminating in a vote where party members will decide if he should continue as leader. This review comes at a sensitive time for the Conservatives, who are navigating the aftermath of an unexpected election loss to Mark Carney's Liberal Party last year, despite having led in polls for months prior to the vote.
The political landscape has grown more challenging recently with the defection of two Conservative MPs, Chris D’Entremont and Michael Ma, to the Liberal benches. These floor-crossings brought the Liberal government within a single seat of a majority in the House of Commons. That narrow margin later shifted back to two seats following the resignation of former Liberal cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland.
An Opportunity for Reflection and Recalibration
According to long-time Conservative Party analyst Kate Harrison, the convention serves as a vital opportunity for the party's base to voice its opinions on the election outcome and the path forward. Harrison, who is the vice-chair of Summa Strategies in Ontario, stated the gathering will provide a clear signal of where members stand on Poilievre's leadership and the party's future direction.
"It is very important and it’ll be a good reinforcement of where the party base is at on the question of Poilievre’s leadership, but also the direction of the party for the next few years," Harrison said.
While acknowledging the disappointment of the election loss, Harrison pointed to areas of progress. The Conservative Party increased both its seat count and its share of the popular vote in the 2025 election. She also argued the party has made strides in connecting with younger Canadians concerned about affordability issues like housing and groceries.
Charting a New Narrative for the Future
The three-day convention is widely seen as a chance for the Conservatives to refresh their message and build upon their recent efforts. Harrison emphasized that the event is an opportunity to double down on strategies that resonated with voters, even in defeat.
"Whenever you have a gathering like this, it’s an opportunity for a refresh and a look at what the message is going to be," she noted. "I’m in the camp of, there’s been a lot of good progress to build upon. That’s not to suggest there’s no room for improvement, but I think this is an opportunity for Conservatives to double down on what did work well."
The convention in Calgary represents a key moment for party unity and strategic planning as the Conservatives aim to regroup and redefine their opposition to the incumbent Liberal government.
