A local Conservative MP says his party is united behind leader Pierre Poilievre as it looks ahead to the next federal election.
More than 87 per cent of Conservative Party of Canada members voted to support Poilievre during a leadership review at the party’s national convention in Calgary this past weekend.
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Yellowhead MP William Stevenson was among those attending the convention — his sixth time attending a CPC convention overall but the first as an elected official. He said the mood among delegates was overwhelmingly supportive.
“The monkey’s off his back — we don’t have to worry about what some people in the media say about where he’s at,” Stevenson said. “We’re solidly behind him, and we’ll move forward as a united team.”
Stevenson said with the leadership review complete, the party will now focus on issues facing Canadians, including housing and affordability, even if that means supporting some measures brought forward by the minority Liberal government.
He pointed to the Conservatives’ recent support for changes to the GST credit, which Prime Minister Mark Carney has said will include 25 per cent hike to the GST credit over five years starting in July 2026 and a one-time payment this spring to help lower-income Canadians cope with rising grocery costs.
“The Conservatives want to help taxpayers in any way, shape or form we can,” Stevenson said. “Even though it’s not what we would have planned, it’s a small step to help people.”
Stevenson acknowledged the GST credit would not benefit most Canadians, but said it could provide relief for those who need it most.
The GST credit is paid out quarterly to families with low and modest incomes. More than 12 million Canadians are expected to be eligible for the new benefit.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer has estimated the added measures will cost Ottawa $12.4 billion over six years.
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Speculation is also growing in Ottawa about the possibility of a snap election this spring. Stevenson said he does not expect opposition parties to want an early vote, but believes the Liberals may seek a majority mandate.
“We don’t have a crystal ball,” he said, adding the Conservatives will be ready if an election is called.
Stevenson was recently in Ottawa for events marking the 20th anniversary of former prime minister Stephen Harper’s first election. He said — as a relatively new MP — that it was an opportunity to connect with former cabinet ministers and learn from veteran MPs from the Harper era.
Yellowhead MP shares his thoughts on the possibility of a spring 2026 election
The Yellowhead MP says he plans to return to the riding in mid-February for meetings and community events, including stops in Edson, Hinton and Rocky Mountain House.
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Stevenson says he’ll be back in Yellowhead in mid-February for meetings and events in every corner of the sprawling riding. That includes events in Edson, Hinton and Jasper, as well as the Denim and Diamonds ceremony in Rocky Mountain House on March 6.
