A Right‐Wing Populist Turn in the Conservative Party of Canada? Continuities and Ruptures Under the Leadership of Pierre Poilievre (2022–2025)

Since his election as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) in 2022, Pierre Poilievre has been associated with populism in media and political discourse, with implicit and explicit comparisons to Donald Trump. This article investigates the validity of such assessments by applying "complex" theories of populism, which conceptualize populism as an interplay of ideology, communication style, and organizational strategy. Drawing on a qualitative content analysis from the 2022-2025 period, we examine the extent to which Poilievre adopts populist repertoires or reflects continuity with Canadian conservatism. The findings suggest an uneven picture: while his core ideological and policy positions remain largely rooted in Harper-era neoliberalism and law-and-order priorities, Poilievre's communication style-marked by anti-elite rhetoric, heightened depictions of societal crisis, and combative messaging-reflects a discernible populist turn. Organizationally, Poilievre maintains CPC structures but seeks to reshape them through stricter party discipline, outsider narratives, and unmediated digital outreach strategies that antagonize traditional media. Beyond the Canadian case, the article contributes to theoretical debates by operationalizing a multidimensional framework for the analysis of contemporary populist politics.