September 10, 2022 8:18pm
Pierre Poilievre is the new leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and will lead the party into the next federal election.
Poilievre, the 43-year-old veteran Conservative MP, was declared Conservative Party leader with 68.15 per cent of the vote on the first ballot at a leadership announcement event at Ottawa’s Shaw Centre Saturday evening.
“Tonight begins the journey to replace an old government that costs you more and delivers you less with a new government that puts you first, your paycheck, your retirement, your home, your country,” said Poilievre. “By tackling Liberal inflation, we’ll put you back in control of your life and your money.”
Progressive Conservative MP Jean Charest came second with 16.8 per cent of the vote. Leslyn Lewis placed third with 9.69 per cent of the vote. Roman Barber placed fourth with 5.03 per cent of the vote and Scott Aitchison finished last with 1.06 per cent of the vote.
“Thank you to Scott Aitchison for running on ideas like simplifying and lowering taxes,” said Poilievre. “Thank you to Roman Baber for standing up for and making sacrifices for freedom for everybody. Thank you to Leslyn Lewis for standing for family, faith, and freedom. And thank you to Jean Charest for your service to our country.”
Voters had until Tuesday to mail in their ballots. Deloitte served as the validator, and campaigns could scrutinize ballots at the processing centre in Ottawa.
A striking 417,987 ballots were to be counted this week, according to party figures – an unparalleled number for a Canadian political party contest.
The results were calculated in points, with up to 100 points allocated to each of the 338 ridings.
More to come.
