Conservative candidate acknowledges voter criticism of Poilievre

During an all-candidates panel for the North Vancouver, Capilano federal byelection, Conservative candidate Stephen Curran admitted to hearing voter criticisms regarding party leader Pierre Poilievre. The exchange, captured on video and obtained by Global News, revealed Curran's acknowledgment of voter concerns about the Conservative party's perceived lack of collaboration and constant criticism.

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I’ll confess, it’s not a question that I haven’t heard on the doorsteps as well.

Curran addressed an audience member's characterization of Poilievre as "divisive in the extreme" and the perception that the Conservatives are unwilling to cooperate with other parties. While Curran defended the party's support for legislation like Bill C-5 and its role in canceling the consumer carbon tax, he conceded that a frequent criticism he hears is, "your leader and your party are always criticizing. You’re never offering any solutions."

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the one criticism I get a lot too is, well, your leader and your party are always criticizing. You’re never offering any solutions.

He emphasized that the official Opposition's duty is to critique and guide the government but stressed his personal commitment to doing so "respectfully and constructively." Curran sought to distance himself from the national party's image, telling the audience member, "Mr. Poilievre and the rest of the Conservative caucus are not on the ballot." He urged voters to assess him individually, asking them 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."

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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.

Despite the audience member's skepticism that Poilievre would allow him to be constructive, Curran responded with a smile, "I’m a big boy." Curran is scheduled to participate in a campaign rally with Poilievre in North Vancouver on Saturday. This comes as the Conservatives aim to rebuild momentum following the Liberal Party's 2023 general election victory, despite recent polling suggesting a decline in support for Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberals.

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I’m a big boy.