At a closed‑door all‑candidates panel for the Aug. 31 federal byelection in North Vancouver, Capilano, the Conservative hopeful said he regularly hears voters describe the party leader as "divisive in the extreme".
Voter concerns raised at the forum
The question came from an audience member who also asked whether the Conservatives were unwilling to work with the Liberal government or other opposition parties. Stephen Curran replied that the criticism was familiar, noting the party's support for the government's infrastructure and trade legislation, Bill C‑5, and its role in the cancellation of the federal carbon tax.
He added that the opposition's job is to "criticise and offer direction" but stressed that his own priority would be to do so "respectfully and constructively".
Separating local candidacy from national party
Curran told the crowd that the leader and the caucus are not on the ballot, urging voters to judge him on his own merits. When the audience member warned that Poilievre might limit his effectiveness, Curran responded with a smile, "I'm a big boy".
The candidate is scheduled to join Pierre Poilievre at a rally in North Vancouver on Saturday, a move that could test whether local voters accept a candidate who distances himself from the national figurehead.
The byelection follows a series of defeats for the Conservatives in British Columbia, including the resignation of former Liberal MP and cabinet minister Jonathan Wilkinson, who left the seat after being appointed ambassador to the European Union. Wilkinson's Liberal successor, Braeden Caley, and Green Party candidate Shelley Luce also appeared at the forum.
Nationally, the Conservative Party is grappling with low personal approval for Poilievre, with recent Angus Reid polling showing 60 % of Canadians hold an unfavourable view of the leader. Party insiders describe a morale problem and concerns about fundraising, while internal defections have bolstered the Liberal majority under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Analysts note that the outcome in a traditionally Conservative riding could signal how much the party's national image influences local contests, especially as the Liberals seek to maintain their majority ahead of the next general election.
Based on reporting by Global News.