Pierre Poilievre
Early Life and Education
Pierre Poilievre was born on June 3, 1979, in Calgary, Alberta. He grew up in the Ottawa area and attended Lisgar Collegiate Institute, where he was a standout student and active in student politics. After graduating from high school, Poilievre went on to study political science at the University of Calgary, where he was involved in the conservative student group, the Young Conservatives.
Early Political Career
Poilievre became involved in politics at a young age, serving as a
youth representative for the Reform Party of Canada in the early 1990s. He
worked on several political campaigns, including that of Preston Manning,
the leader of the Reform Party. In 2004, at the age of 25, Poilievre was
elected as the MP for the riding of Nepean-Carleton, becoming one of the
youngest MPs in Canadian history.
As an MP, Poilievre quickly established himself as a vocal critic of the Liberal government, particularly on economic issues. He served as the Conservative Party's critic for the Treasury Board and later for democratic reform. He also played a key role in the Conservative Party's efforts to eliminate the long-gun registry, a controversial registry of firearms that was introduced by the Liberal government in the 1990s.
In 2011, Poilievre was appointed as the Minister of State for Democratic Reform, where he oversaw the government's efforts to reform the country's electoral system. He was re-elected as the MP for Nepean-Carleton in the 2011 federal election, but his riding was abolished in a redistribution of electoral boundaries. In the 2015 federal election, he was elected as the MP for the new riding of Carleton.
Recent Political Career
Since his election to the Carleton riding, Poilievre has continued to be an outspoken critic of the Liberal government. He has been particularly critical of the government's economic policies, including its deficit spending and its proposed carbon tax. He has also been a vocal advocate for small government and free market policies, arguing that these are the best ways to promote economic growth and job creation.
In 2018, Poilievre announced that he would not seek the leadership of the Conservative Party, citing family reasons. However, he has remained an active member of the party and has continued to be a prominent voice in the Conservative caucus.
In addition to his political career, Poilievre has been involved in several community organizations in the Ottawa area. He has served on the board of the Nepean Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club and has been involved in several local charitable organizations.
Criticism and Controversy
Poilievre's outspoken style and conservative views have often drawn criticism from his political opponents and some members of the media. He has been accused of being overly partisan and confrontational, particularly in his attacks on the Liberal government. He has also been criticized for some of his policy positions, particularly his opposition to government spending on social programs.
In addition, Poilievre has been involved in several controversies during his political career. In 2012, he was criticized for his involvement in robocalls that were made to voters in several ridings during the 2011 federal election. He denied any wrongdoing, but the controversy led to calls.