Conservative candidate says he’s heard Poilievre criticism from voters

Conservative candidate Stephen Curran acknowledged this week that he has heard criticisms of party leader Pierre Poilievre from voters while campaigning in B.C.'s North Vancouver—Capilano federal byelection. The comments emerged during an all-candidates panel for the Aug. 31 election, held at the Amica Lions Gate senior's residence in West Vancouver.

The event was not open to the media, but Global News obtained a video of an audience member questioning Curran about Poilievre's perceived divisiveness and unwillingness to collaborate with the Liberal government and other opposition parties.

Curran responded that he had indeed heard similar criticisms on the doorsteps as well. While defending the Conservatives' support for the government's infrastructure and trade law, Bill C-5, and their success in persuading the Liberals to cancel the consumer carbon tax, he admitted that "the one criticism I get a lot too is, well, your leader and your party are always criticizing.

You're never offering any solutions." Curran maintained that the opposition's role is to criticize and offer direction to the government, but emphasized his commitment to doing so respectfully and constructively.

Curran stressed that the upcoming election is about choosing between himself and Poilievre, stating, "It's up to you to look at me and look at my face and see if you think I'm telling the truth, and whether I am actually going to be a constructive agent representing your interests in Parliament or not." The audience member agreed that they would, to which Curran replied, "I’m a big boy." Curran will attend a campaign rally with Poilievre in North Vancouver on Saturday.

Poilievre has faced challenges in rebuilding Conservative momentum since the Liberal Party's recent general election victory under Prime Minister Mark Carney. Although public support for Carney and the Liberals has been declining since February, Poilievre's own popularity remains low. Sixty percent of respondents viewed him unfavorably in June, an opinion that has remained steady for nearly a year, while only 33 percent held a favorable view.

Multiple sources have described the Conservative party as disheartened, concerned about fundraising and potential infighting, which has led to MP defections and resignations in recent months.

North Vancouver—Capilano, currently held by Liberal MP Jonathan Wilkinson since 2015, was previously represented by Curran, who lost the seat by 26 points last year. The Conservatives had held the riding for seven years before Wilkinson's election.