Hello, welcome to Politics Insider. Let’s look at what happened today.
The head of the Conservative Party’s powerful fundraising arm stressed Pierre Poilievre’s role in raking in millions of dollars, as delegates at a party convention in Calgary prepared to vote today on whether Poilievre should remain as leader.
Robert Staley, the chair of what’s known as the Conservative Fund, also says the party’s war chest is full enough to fight an election at any time.
Stephanie Levitz reports that the update from the Conservative Fund – a mandatory element of the convention – also provided a glimpse into how the party raises money and how those operations have shifted over time.
But Staley said Poilievre is the most important part of that, and the fundraisers he does across the country are the most lucrative. He added the party’s best fundraising years were 2023, 2024 and 2025.
“What do all of those fundraising years have in common? What they have in common is the guy who leads our party, Pierre Poilievre.”
Poilievre was elected leader of the party in the fall of 2022.
Staley told delegates at an early-morning session that the party raised $48-million in 2025. That was up from $41.7-million in 2024 and $35-million in 2023.
Poilievre is scheduled to speak to the convention at 6:30 p.m. MST.
There’s an overview here on issues up for debate at the Conservative convention.
In other news, the Ontario Progressive Conservative party is backtracking on its plan to ban media from its convention this weekend, now saying that Premier Doug Ford’s speech will be open to reporters.
Laura Stone reports that the change follows backlash to the party’s plan to exclude media from the entire convention, which is a break from political norms. The ban was first reported in the Toronto Star this week.
The decision to allow media into the convention for the Premier’s speech was confirmed to The Globe and Mail by Ford’s campaign manager, Kory Teneycke.
Teneycke chalked up the issue to a “miscommunication” on the party’s part, even as Ford defended the move days earlier.
Still, the media will not be welcome at Ford’s fireside chat on Saturday with party members and will be excluded from closed-door meetings on issues, such as electoral strategy and fundraising, Teneycke said, adding that is typical for the party’s conventions.
“The private stuff’s private. But as you know, the Premier’s not shy in giving a speech and having people listen to it. It’s not some offence to his world view,” he said.
Ford is set to give his speech to the party faithful on Saturday evening. A new party executive will also be announced on Sunday.
The Conservative Party holds a national convention in the wake of its April 2025 election loss, in Calgary.Jennifer Gauthier/Reuters
What else is going on.
Carney won’t say whether Canada would align trade policy with U.S. as part of USMCA revision: Asked whether Ottawa would agree to an external trade policy that’s more aligned with Washington, Carney declined to answer during a news conference this week after a First Ministers’ meeting.
Ontario woman calls for reform after her son “shopped” for MAID approval in B.C.: Margaret Marsilla said her 26-year-old son received medical assistance in dying after being denied it by doctors in his home province in recent years.
Trump’s threat to decertify Canadian-made jets could hamper U.S. operators, analytics company says: U.S. President Donald Trump made the threat on social media, along with a warning he would slap 50-per-cent import taxes on planes made by Bombardier Inc.
Heated Rivalry’s Hudson Williams and Carney share a fleecy moment: Ahead of an evening panel at the Prime Time conference in Ottawa this week, the Heated Rivalry star made a surprise appearance on the red carpet next to the Prime Minister.
Smith defends Alberta separatists after Eby’s “treason” remarks: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she won’t demonize the roughly one million Albertans who are open to separation, after B.C. Premier David Eby said a group of Alberta separatists who went to Washington in search of political support are engaging in treason.
First Nations leaders urge Albertans to oppose separation: A coalition of seven First Nations chiefs says allowing a separatist petition to proceed in Alberta is a direct violation of both treaty agreements and the Canadian Constitution.
Crisis management firm Navigator names new CEO: Laas Turnbull is being elevated to CEO from his current role as chief commercial officer. Founder Jaime Watt will remain chair of the board of directors.
Opioid deaths are declining: A decade after Canada’s toxic drug crisis took hold, claiming thousands of lives each year, recent data show that toll may now be easing.
On our radar
Prime Minister’s Day: Mark Carney did not have any public events scheduled.
Party Leaders: In Calgary, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is at his party’s convention, which is running through to Saturday. No schedules were released for other party leaders.
Ministers on the Road: Northern Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand was in Winnipeg to talk about the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and Health Minister Marjorie Michel was in Edmonton to speak on the same topic.
Also in Edmonton, Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski, who is responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, announced funding for an indoor sports training hub.
In Dartmouth, N.S., Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty announced the addition of over seven hectares to the Millbrook First Nation, located near the town of Truro.
And in Toronto, Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin made an infrastructure announcement.
Meanwhile Energy Minister Tim Hodgson concludes a trip to India today.
Fry seeks to be Vancouver mayor: Pete Fry, the son of veteran Liberal MP Hedy Fry, has announced that he will run to be Vancouver Mayor. Fry was elected to Vancouver City Council in 2018 as a member of the Green Party. He announced his bid Friday. Hedy Fry has been MP for Vancouver Centre since 1993.
Quote of the Day
“We were too reliant on telephone fundraising, which I personally found annoying when I got the calls.” - Robert Staley, chair of the Conservative Fund, as he presented an update on party finances during the party convention in Calgary.
Question period
Next Tuesday, the official portrait of former prime minister Stephen Harper will be unveiled on Parliament Hill. Who painted the portrait?
Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Perspectives
Fear of a quick rerun election helps Poilievre for just one day
Now, Mr. Poilievre has to embark on a campaign to rebuild his image with voters, and that takes time. He is trying to look more prime ministerial, less activist. This week, he sent a letter offering to co-operate with the government to pass legislation.
— Campbell Clark, Chief Political Writer
Donald Trump wants to make an example out of Canada. How will we prepare?
We are in a lot of trouble, and we need to move fast. We have little ability to predict Mr. Trump’s actions, and no reason to confine our imagination to what is reasonable or even practical. It is not enough to hope for the best. We have to plan for the worst.
— Andrew Coyne, Columnist
It’s the right time - socially and economically - to scale back extended benefits for refugees
Asking refugee-claimants to budget for prescriptions and extended coverage, as many other Canadians do, helps to ameliorate that wounded perception of fairness. Arguably the changes to the IFHP needs to go further, but this is a necessary first step.
— Robyn Urback, Columnist
Go deeper
- Follow along for our stories on Canada-U.S. relations as news develops
- Get the latest insight and analysis from our political opinion writers
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The answer to today’s question: Harper’s portrait was painted by Canadian artist Phil Richards, whose commissions have included the official Diamond Jubilee portrait of Queen Elizabeth II for the government of Canada.