PM Carney, Poilievre expected to meet this week

With a new sitting of Parliament underway, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are expected to meet this week.

In a video posted to X on Monday afternoon, Poilievre said he is “seeking an urgent meeting with the prime minister” to “bring practical solutions, an openness to hear other ideas and work together to fast-track results.”

Poilievre also goes on to outline his message to Carney, saying “Conservatives renew our offer to help fight U.S. tariffs and get a tariff-free deal with our American counterparts.”

The video is Poilievre’s latest attempt at public outreach after he wrote an open letter to Carney in late January, in which offered his party’s help to “turn rhetoric into reality, by fast-tracking policies (Carney has) long delayed.”

Poilievre claims he has “not heard back.”

It also comes after MPs unanimously approved a Conservative motion on Monday proposing to speed up deliberations over Bill C-19, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Act, that will see it clear the House of Commons by Wednesday.

According to Poilievre’s office, the timing of the meeting is still being sorted out, with the hope that it happens this week.

The Prime Minister’s Office, meanwhile, said in a statement to CTV News on Monday that Carney is “looking forward to meeting with opposition party leaders to discuss their priorities as this new sitting progresses.”

But speaking on background, a senior government source says the prime minister had already started reaching out to opposition party leaders last week.

The source also says Carney met with interim NDP leader Don Davies last week, while a meeting with Poilievre is expected to take place this week.

Speaking with CTV’s Power Play with Vassy Kapelos on Monday, Conservative campaign manager Steve Outhouse was asked about the strategy behind Poilievre’s more conciliatory tone.

“I think everyone acknowledges this a very serious time for Canada. There’s a lot of challenges that are being faced, both domestically and internationally,” Outhouse said. “For this domestic agenda that’s there, let’s get it done. Let’s get it through Parliament, and let’s move the debate.”

Poilievre returns to Ottawa after receiving 87.4 per cent support at the Conservative Party convention in Calgary over the weekend.

Conservatives say they will ‘be ready’ for an election

With the Liberals holding a minority government and speculation over floor crossers continuing, Carney said last week that he is not considering a snap election, saying his government is “focused on results for Canadians.”

Asked by Kapelos if Conservatives want an election, Outhouse said “we’ll be ready” for one, but put the onus on the possibility on the Liberals.

“I think (for) the Liberals right now, that looks appealing to them for a whole bunch of reasons,” Outhouse said, adding the Conservatives are “happy to work in Parliament and get some things done, and get results for Canadians, and help the government actually advance their agenda.”

Meanwhile, in a previous interview with CTV News on Friday, when asked whether he anticipates there will be an election this year, Outhouse said “I believe so.”

“I don’t think it’s necessary,” he added. “I mean, the prime minister has his mandate that he’s just got less than a year ago … and we have pledged our co-operation in the House to move things forward, to move from rhetoric to results, as the leader has said.”

With files from CTV News’ Spencer Van Dyk and Rachel Aiello