Will Poilievre vs. Ford define the CPC leadership review?

This percolating conflict must worry Pierre Poilievre and his team as they prepare for the leadership review in January 2026. It’s bad enough that the Conservative leader must face a membership denied what seemed certain victory back in April; he may also have to combat Doug Ford proxies who may want a narrow vote of confidence on the currently seatless party leader.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Ford continues to stake out policy positions that contrast with those of Poilievre. He weighed in at the most recent meeting of the premiers and territorial leaders, joining a consensus that called for an 'increase to economic immigration levels' to meet their labour needs.The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY KEN POLK

August 11, 2025

OTTAWA—Ever since Pierre Poilievre became leader of the Conservative Party of Canada in 2022, his relations with Ontario Progressive Conservative Premier Doug Ford have been distant at best and, at worst, openly hostile.

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