Poilievre voted best public speaker, most quotable, hardest-working, and biggest self-promoter in The Hill Times’ 29th Annual Politically Savvy Survey

While Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre courts voters across the country this summer to rail against decisions made in the capital, denizens of the Ottawa bubble have given him top marks across a range of categories in The Hill Times’ 29th Annual Politically Savvy Survey.

A fan of three-word slogans—axe the tax, build the homes, and so on—Poilievre (Carleton, Ont.) would doubtless be chuffed to know he’s seen as the “best public speaker,” “most quotable MP,” and the “hardest-working MP,” though might be less pleased as the “biggest self-promoter.”

Poilievre also topped the list of “best fundraisers,” with the Conservative Party’s war chest since his 2022 election as leader providing empirical evidence for the assertion. He’s also seen as the most effective Question Period MP for his party, surprising no one who has tuned in on afternoons when the House sits.

“His name does come up more than is warranted by the fact that he’s the leader of the Tories,” said Lorne Bozinoff, president and CEO of Forum Research, which conducted this year’s survey between June 10 and July 5 on behalf of The Hill Times. “He is a good speaker, a good public speaker. Even if he wasn’t leader, he’d be showing up in some of these things.”

On his speaking ability, one respondent said Poilievre “has good timing, and always keeps a calm composure.” Another said his “ability to speak off the cuff without notes and tell a story is unmatched by any other member.” The survey was also probably home to the highest use of the word “zinger” outside KFC.

For those fearing this survey was a Tory love-in, rest assured that those self-identified as Conservatives made up only 16.7 per cent of the 126 respondents, behind 33.3 per cent who affiliated with the Liberals, 6.3 per cent NDP, four per cent Green, and 1.6 per cent Bloc Québécois. It’s possible that some quiet Tories found themselves in the 38.1 per cent who did not list an affiliation.

For all his attacks on the “Laurentian elite,” the official opposition leader—who marked two decades representing an Ottawa-area riding late last month—has been a fixture in the survey of political insiders since long before he took the top Conservative job. Long-time readers may recall his impressive showing in 2021, for example.

Looking back at those previous survey results, Bozinoff said the votes helped to “tell you who the leaders of the future are.”

“There’s people there because of their longevity, because of their positions in the party” he said. “Then there’s the people who, I think, are the up and comers, they’re the next generation.”

If that’s the case, politicos had best watch Conservative MPs Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill, Ont.) and Michael Barrett (Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, Ont.). 

First-termer Lantsman, who was named one of Poilievre’s two deputies in 2022, outshone her leader as the best opposition MP in scrums, and was seen as the Conservatives’ second-best performer in Question Period.

“Everytime she scrums she makes the government hurt. She has a unique reach as an MP so her message is always heard,” said one respondent. Another said she was “quick on her feet, [has] strong political sense and knows how to spin.”

Barrett, his party’s ethics critic, has had plenty on his plate amid numerous government scandals. He appears to have put that role to good use in the eyes of insiders, receiving a string of third-place finishes in the categories of best public speaker, most effective Conservative Question Period MP, and best opposition MP in scrums.

Beyond the realm of political theatre, Barrett also rated highly among his staff, named as the best MP to work for, and also the third-hardest working MP. “The man does not stop,” one person said.

But enough about the Conservatives. After 600 words, it’s about time to note members of the other four parties in Parliament.

Turning to the cabinet, Housing Minister Sean Fraser (Central Nova, N.S.) returned from a strong 2023 showing to be named the government’s best weapon in Question Period, ahead of Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne (Saint-Maurice–Champlain, Que.) and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc (Beauséjour, N.B.). 

“The best education you can get in Question Period performance is found at Tim Hortons in a small town in my community rather than in an office on Parliament Hill,” Fraser told The Hill Times when asked about his approach to Question Period.

“It’s important that you’re able to talk to people in the House of Commons as though you’re talking to them in real life. People don’t want to listen to politicians read off the lines that come in from a department devoid of context of the question,” he said. “They want to hear real answers to real questions, and they want to know that the people who represent their communities think like they do and talk like they do.”

Fraser was also perceived to be the second-best public speaker, and the second-best MP to work for, the latter position being shared with Citizens’ Services Minister Terry Beech (Burnaby North–Seymour, B.C.) and–yes, we’re finally mentioning him–Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.).

Fraser said he had been “blessed with the most extraordinary team in politics,” led by chief of staff Savannah DeWolfe. “My sense is people are hungry for that opportunity to make a difference and serve Canada, and if you can find a group of people who have that dedication to country, but at the same time are genuine and kind people who enjoy working alongside one another, you’re going to develop an office culture that is second to none.”

As for interactions with the fourth estate, Fraser was pipped at the post, coming third behind LeBlanc and Immigration Minister Marc Miller (Ville-Marie–Le Sud-Ouest–Île-des-Soeurs, Que.) as the best member of cabinet in scrums.

“He speaks like regular people do, he’s extremely intelligent, and he’s competent,” one respondent said of Miller. “He doesn’t need to hide behind the Centre’s message.”

Others noted Miller’s earnestness, “no B.S.” and “Tim Hortons language” approach. Another person said his “off the cuff” approach was similar to Poilievre’s, something that was probably intended as a compliment, but may not be read as such by the minister.

After all, there is no love lost between the two figures. In a memorable exchange earlier this year, when asked by reporters whether Poilievre’s removal from the House was an attempt to “silence” him, Miller quipped: “That guy’s never shut his mouth in his life. Who silences him? He keeps saying dumb things. I think it would be good if he shut up once in a while.” 

Sadly, for Miller, that remark was not enough to put him ahead of Poilievre in the “best sense of humour” category. Both, however, were left in the dust of LeBlanc, who was described as “always cracking jokes—and many that are just on the line of being politically incorrect.”

For those not privy to the minister’s “definitely not PG, not even really PG-13” humour, many respondents took the opportunity at this question to try their own material for the survey. One wag, nominating Trudeau, offered the reason of “look at his front bench.” 

Speaking of the prime minister, he did manage one win in the survey. While he’s struggling to control rumblings within the Liberal Party, he is having no such trouble on the social front as the first-placeholder in the “throwing the best parties” category.

“What other MP would stand out in 30-plus degree weather to take over 1,000 pictures with parliamentary staff to give them an opportunity to have a great experience with the nation’s leader?” offered one person. 

Elsewhere within the Liberal fold, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland (University–Rosedale, Ont.) was seen as the most influential cabinet minister, followed by LeBlanc and Treasury Board President Anita Anand (Oakville, Ont.). 

Liberal MPs Peter Fragiskatos (London North Centre, Ont.), Anthony Housefather (Mount Royal, Que.), and Kody Blois (King–Hants, N.S.) were all nominated as among the most effective government backbenchers during the thankless slog of Question Period. 

Fragiskatos, who is Fraser’s parliamentary secretary, was praised for responding “directly with confidence and accuracy,” knowing the housing and infrastructure file well, and being able to “answer questions without reading, and by calling out inconsistencies in the questioner.”

Housefather and Blois, meanwhile, were nominated primarily for something a government does not normally seek from its backbenchers: a willingness to speak their mind. 

Blois, who was one of three Liberals to vote for Conservative private member’s bill C-234, which would exempt some on-farm activities from the carbon tax, was praised for speaking up for his riding, and winning “concessions from government specific to Atlantic Canada.”

Housefather, meanwhile, has been steadfast in his support for Israel and even publicly considered leaving the party after being one of three Liberals to vote against an NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood that criticized Israel’s conduct in the war against Hamas. One person who disagreed with Housefather’s stance admired his “constant success in getting headlines and shifting the focus of debates.” 

Staying with Quebec MPs, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet (Beloeil–Chambly, Que.) remained his party’s most effective MP in Question Period. 

He was followed by public safety and climate change critic Kristina Michaud (Avignon–La Mitis–Matane–Matapédia, Que.), who was described as direct, charming, and passionate. “She will be leader one day,” offered two respondents.

The NDP, meanwhile, will need to brace for a massive hole in their Question Period arsenal when long-time MP Charlie Angus (Timmins–James Bay, Ont.) departs the House at the end of this session.

“Tells it like it is,” was one of many such comments about the northern Ontario MP, while another suggested that “he knows why he’s in Ottawa and what he’s there to do.”

The NDP need not fret too much, however, with two-term MP Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona, Alta.) not far behind as the party’s second-most effective performer in Question Period.

“The Liberals shake when she starts asking questions. They know she will come with something embarrassing, and they have no defence,” said one respondent of the party’s foreign affairs critic.

The aforementioned motion that Housefather voted against belonged to McPherson, and according to one comment, it “was more effective than anything [NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh] has led in the House this year. She’s very good at setting a contrasting message on her critic files.”

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably giddy with anticipation about the answer to the most important question in the entire survey. That is, of course, which MP is the most hip?

The definition of “hip” is a fluid one, though this author might suggest it immediately exempts anyone who uses the word “hip.” Nearly a quarter of respondents provided no name, presumably overwhelmed by the challenge of finding but one winner in the capital of cool.

In the end, though, it was Liberal MP Adam van Koeverden (Milton, Ont.) who edged out the competition. The Olympic gold medallist’s supporters praised his “style, swagger, confidence,” relaxed vibe, while another simply asked: “Have you seen his outfits?”

For those aspiring to take the hip crown next year, one person offered some advice: van Koeverden “showed up to the garden party wearing a backpack.” Take note, fashionistas.

sjeffery@hilltimes.com

The Hill Times

Results of The Hill Times’ 29th Annual Politically Savvy Survey 

A total of 126 people responded to The Hill Times’ Politically Savvy Survey this year, conducted by Forum Research between June 10-July 5.

Best Public Speaker

1. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre: 16.7%
2. Housing Minister Sean Fraser: 12.7%
3. Conservative MP Michael Barrett: 4.8%

Best Cabinet Minister

1. Housing Minister Sean Fraser: 30.2%
2. Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne: 16.7%
3. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc: 9.5%

Most Effective Government Question Period Backbencher

1. Liberal MP Peter Fragiskatos: 5.6%
2. Liberal MP Anthony Housefather: 4.8%
3. Liberal MP Kody Blois: 4%

Most Effective Conservative Question Period MP

1. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre: 26.2%
2. Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman: 11.9%
3. Conservative MP Michael Barrett: 8.7%

Most Effective Bloc Québécois Question Period MP

1. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet: 26.2%
2. Bloc Québécois MP Kristina Michaud: 14.3%
3. Bloc Québécois MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe: 7.1%

Most Effective NDP Question Period MP

1. NDP MP Charlie Angus: 14.3%
2. NDP MP Heather McPherson: 12.7%
3. NDP House Leader Peter Julian: 10.3%

Most Effective Cabinet Minister in Scrums

1. Immigration Minister Marc Miller: 18.3%
2. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc: 12.7%
3. Housing Minister Sean Fraser: 9.5%

Best Opposition MP in Scrums

1. Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman: 11.9%
2. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre: 10.3%
3. Conservative MP Michael Barrett: 8.7%

Most Quotable MP

1. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre: 26.2%
2. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: 11.1%
3. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland: 8.7%

Best Constituency MP

1. Citizens’ Services Minister Terry Beech: 6.3%
2. Conservative MP Michael Barrett: 4%
3. NDP MP Lori Idlout: 3.2%

Most Influential Cabinet Minister

1. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland: 46%
2. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc: 15.9%
3. Treasury Board President Anita Anand: 4.8%

MP With Best Sense of Humour

1. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc: 10.3%
2. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre: 8.7%
3. Housing Minister Sean Fraser: 6.3%

Best MP to Work For

1. Conservative MP Michael Barrett: 4%
2. Citizens’ Services Minister Terry Beech, Housing Minister Sean Fraser, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: 3.2%
3. NDP MP Laurel Collins, Liberal MP Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal MP Terry Sheehan, Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson: 2.4%

Most Discreet MP

1. NDP MP Niki Ashton, Conservative MP Michael Chong: 4%
2. Conservative MP Michael Barrett, Conservative MP Michael Cooper: 3.2%
3. Liberal MP Brendan Hanley, Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan: 2.4%

Hardest-Working MP

1. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre: 11.9%
2. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux, Green Leader Elizabeth May: 5.6%
3. Conservative MP Michael Barrett: 4.8%

Throws the Best Parties

1. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: 8.7%
2. Quebec Assistants: 5.6%
3. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre: 4%

Best Fundraiser

1. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre: 22.2%
2. Conservative Party of Canada: 8.7%
3. Conservative MP Michael Barrett, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: 3.2%

Hippest MP

1. Liberal MP Adam van Koeverden: 4.8%
2. NDP MP Charlie Angus, Minister for Women Marci Ien: 4%
3. Conservative MP Michael Barrett, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: 3.2%

Biggest Self-Promoter

1. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre: 32.5%
2. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: 16.7%
3. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh: 4%