Election buzz ramps up with Liberals poaching candidates from opposition parties and Conservatives starting nomination process

The Conservative Party of Canada has started the candidate nomination process across the country, according to an internal memo obtained by The Hill Times.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals are leading by between four and 15 points in national public opinion polls. It would be strategically smart to capitalize on this advantage by going to the polls early, says Nik Nanos, chief data scientist for Nanos Research.The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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BY ABBAS RANA

February 6, 2026

Ottawa is buzzing with election speculation as Elections Canada lines up offices and recruits staff, Liberals poach candidates and MPs from opposition parties, and the Conservatives have formally launched nomination contests.

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