Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre rallied a crowd of about 15,000 in an industrial warehouse in Nisku. Monday evening, just south of Edmonton in the heart of oil country.
The area, near the historic Leduc No. 1 well that sparked Alberta’s 1947 oil boom, is a hub for energy service companies and drilling contractors.
The Western Standard reported thousands arriving early, with many parking a kilometre away or more to attend. Twenty minutes before the event, hundreds still lined up outside, while others waited inside the massive venue.
Supporters Sheila and Catherine from Edmonton voiced strong backing for Poilievre.
“People need to know who Pierre is and who Mark Carney is,” they said. “Carney will destroy Canada if Pierre isn’t elected. Read Carney’s book Values — that says it all.”
Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper introduced Poilievre. As the crowd cheered, he said Poilievre earned the privilege of running for prime minister through hard work and determination.
Poilievre called out Liberal leader Mark Carney's latest Chinese election interference scandal reported by the Western Standard on Monday. He also criticized the Liberals over the "lost decade" in reference to Canada's economic decline under Justin Trudeau.
As the crowd cheered and shouted support, he also called out Canada's revolving door justice system, high housing costs, inflation and myriad other failures in Ottawa. He lauded trade unions and encouraged people to seek careers in the trades.
“We need boots — not suits,” he said. Poilievre also spoke of the potential of AI data centres — noting there is plenty of "artificial intelligence" in Ottawa.
He called for the restoration of Canada under Conservative government.
A highlight was Chief Billy Morin, a Conservative candidate in Edmonton, leading the crowd in singing “O Canada.” Later, when Poilievre’s microphone failed, attendees spontaneously broke into the anthem again, marking the night’s most emotional moment.
