The federal Conservative Party is working to mend relationships with some provincial leaders following public tensions with Ontario and Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservative premiers last year, according to sources.
Steve Outhouse, Pierre Poilievre’s new campaign manager, reached out to Tim Houston and Doug Ford’s offices in December to move past a period of public criticism. Making these calls was a top priority, with Outhouse, who started his role on December 1, seen as a strong potential mediator due to his positive connections within both Houston and Ford’s offices.
The outreach aimed to emphasize Poilievre’s team’s interest in establishing a cooperative relationship with the provincial parties and a willingness to collaborate. Three sources from both provincial and federal levels confirmed this effort, speaking to CBC News anonymously due to confidentiality concerns.
Outhouse emphasized the importance of uniting Conservatives nationwide for success in the next federal election. “As an Atlantic Canadian involved in campaigns across the country, I value all segments of our conservative voter base and look forward to collaborating with the entire conservative movement,” he stated.
Hailing from Nova Scotia, Outhouse plans to attend the provincial Progressive Conservative (PC) annual general meeting in February and has engaged with various provincial PC or Conservative teams nationwide. His campaign experience includes work in Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, New Brunswick, and involvement in Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis’s federal leadership bids in 2020 and 2022.
The strained relations between Poilievre’s team and the two premiers were evident before, during, and after the last federal election. In Ontario, tensions arose early, with allegations of delayed support to Ford’s provincial campaign. Ford, in turn, expressed being overwhelmed to assist the federal Conservative campaign during the provincial election.
Houston also highlighted tensions with Poilievre’s former chief adviser and criticized the federal Conservatives for alienating rather than attracting support.
Since the 2025 election, Poilievre’s team has endeavored to repair relationships, with efforts dating back to the previous year. Poilievre publicly backed Ford’s positions, including recent stances on international trade issues.
Poilievre’s outreach extended to former leadership rival Patrick Brown, with whom he engaged in discussions last year. Despite these efforts, the impact on the premiers’ offices remains uncertain as they have not responded to requests for comments.
Poilievre is set to undergo a leadership review at the party’s convention in Calgary later this month, marking a crucial event for his political future.