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Pierre Poilievre

Pierre Poilievre is the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, a role he has held since 2022. His party fell short in the 2025 federal vote, with election results showing the Liberals securing a fourth straight term in office.

Who is Pierre Poilievre?

Poilievre, 45, was born and raised in Calgary and studied international relations at the University of Calgary. He went on to work for Stockwell Day, the leader of the Canadian Alliance — a party that subsequently merged into the modern-day Conservative party.

Poilievre was first elected as a Conservative MP in 2004, at the age of 25, in the Ottawa riding of Nepean-Carleton, a region he continues to represent federally today.

A career politician, he has been a notable face for the party for years, a go-to voice for the Conservatives in the House of Commons while the party sat on the opposition benches. 

Poilievre is facing the prospect of forming government in a federal election against the Liberals and their new leader, Mark Carney. 

Where does Pierre Poilievre stand on key environmental issues?

Poilievre has focused his ire on the carbon tax and the now-former prime minister Justin Trudeau, but has had to pivot hard as his opponents turned on their tax and Trudeau — and as the U.S. turns its back on its closest ally. 

He has also made it clear he wants to boost the Canadian energy sector.

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The federal election is here
What’s at stake for the natural world in this election? A lot — and we have you covered. Sign up for our newsletter for updates from the campaign trail and whatever comes next.
The federal election is here

Poilievre intends to lift the cap on oilsands emissions and speed up approval for refineries, liquefied natural gas plants and pipelines to “cause a massive resource boom.”

“My plan on the environment is technology and not taxes,” he said in a short video posted on social media platforms in May 2024.

Poilievre plans to speed up approval of renewable energy developments like nuclear, hydroelectric and offshore tidal power projects.

“We can’t afford five or six years of federal red tape blocking hydroelectric dams that are going to be necessary to supply the kilowattage to power an electric economy,” he said in the video.

In my community of Moose Factory, the clean water crisis never really ends

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With headlines blaring about tariffs, a trade war and a 51st state, it can be easy to feel helpless. Here’s where I see hope: The Narwhal is reporting doggedly on issues surrounding the natural world in Canada that feel so under threat today — including the autonomy and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples. It’s why I’m a member — and why I hope you’ll be one of 400 readers who joins me this April. Sign up now and receive a Narwhal tote bag as a gift of thanks! — Tanya Talaga, journalist, author and recent Narwhal board chair
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With headlines blaring about tariffs, a trade war and a 51st state, it can be easy to feel helpless. Here’s where I see hope: The Narwhal is reporting doggedly on issues surrounding the natural world in Canada that feel so under threat today — including the autonomy and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples. It’s why I’m a member — and why I hope you’ll be one of 400 readers who joins me this April. — Tanya Talaga, journalist, author and recent Narwhal board chair
A note from Tanya Talaga
Circular headshot of Tanya Talaga.