Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre says he is running for prime minister – National

Pierre Poilievre launched an attempt to become the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, with other members of Parliament pledging support.

He was the first candidate to announce his intention to run for the top party post after MPs forced Erin O’Toole out of office just three days earlier.

In a three-minute video released on social media Saturday night, Poilievre criticized government spending and said he wanted to make “Canadians the freest people on earth.”

Sitting at a table in front of a bookshelf with soft music playing to his words, Poilievre did not mention the Conservative party or the election campaign in his announcement, only saying he wanted a job as prime minister.

Poilievre is taking his hat off before the race officially begins and the party’s electoral commission is still nonexistent and no rules are in place.

As a result, he was unable to initiate fundraising.

A document attached to his launch video released Saturday lists one of the options for supporters to choose to help, which is to purchase a membership to vote for Poilievre.

Poilievre’s announcement was quickly supported by many MPs after his candidacy.

“I go with Pierre,” Ontario MP Melissa Lansman tweeted. “There’s no question – Pierre is the right answer for a united (and) strong Conservative Party.”

Longtime Manitoba Conservative MP James Bezan also endorsed Poilievre, saying in a tweet that he has the communication skills, work ethic and “strong conservative values” to defeat Trudeau.

Many Conservatives see the 42-year-old Ottawa area MP as a natural frontrunner in the race.

2:45
Conservative Interim Leader Candice Bergen urges Liberals to extend ‘olive branches’ to lorry protesters

He is currently the party’s financial critic and was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 at the age of 24, serving in the Conservative government of former prime minister Stephen Harper.

During his time in Parliament, Poilievre built a reputation as a fiery performer in the House of Commons who was steeped in conservative values ​​and thinking.

He entered the race with a substantial social media following. During last year’s election, he impressed with his own campaign videos and slogans, separate from the party or leader’s slogan.