Top 10 most influential Conservatives in federal politics
Although the Pierre Poilievre Conservatives did not form government in the April 28 election, they came close—holding the Mark Carney Liberals to a minority, and defying the expectations of many seasoned political observers. Citing the surge in support during the final two weeks of the campaign, some Conservative insiders claim that if the election had lasted just one more week, they could have secured a victory.
In the lead-up to last month’s election, most political insiders expected the Liberals to win a majority government. This outcome suggests that if Carney fails to make progress on key issues such as United States trade tariffs and affordability—top-of-mind concerns for many Canadians—another election could be on the horizon in about two years, depending on how events unfold. The most recent minority Parliament was one of the longest in Canadian history, lasting nearly three-and-a-half years. Prior to that, minority governments typically lasted between 18 and 24 months.
This means that several senior Conservative figures are expected to play influential roles in holding the minority Liberal government to account, and to prove themselves to be a government in waiting. The Hill Times spoke with multiple senior Conservatives, both inside and outside of the caucus, to identify who the key players will be in the current Parliament. There was broad consensus that Pierre Poilievre’s inner circle is composed primarily of two people: the leader himself and his former campaign director and senior adviser, Jenni Byrne. However, sources also said that several other influential figures—both within and beyond the caucus—are instrumental in supporting the work of these top two people.
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader
Even though Poilievre failed to win the last election and lost his own riding, he still appears to have a strong control of his party. Under his leadership, the Conservatives won 144 seats—25 more compared to the 2021 election when they won 119. In terms of the popular vote, the Conservatives lost by a margin of only 2.4 percentage points. Poilievre now will run in a yet-to-be-called byelection in the riding of Battle River-Crowfoot, Alta.—one of the safest Conservative ridings in the country—that has been vacated by Damien Kurek for the leader. Poilievre is expected to return to the House in the fall.
Andrew Scheer
Interim Opposition and House Leader
After Poilievre’s election loss, the Conservative caucus chose Andrew Scheer as the interim leader in the House. He will serve as opposition leader until Poilievre wins a seat and returns to the House. Scheer has previously served as the House Speaker from 2011 to 2015, and as party leader from 2017 to the 2019 federal election. Known as a Poilievre loyalist, Scheer is bilingual and will lead his caucus in holding the newly elected government to account in the few weeks before the House adjourns for the summer recess on June 20. After Poilievre returns to the House after the byelection, Scheer will serve as the House leader.
Jenni Byrne
Former Campaign Director
A close confidante of Poilievre, Jenni Byrne served as the campaign director in the April 28 election. Byrne has played a key role in Poilievre’s political career starting with his nomination as a Conservative candidate in 2004 to his time as a cabinet minister under Stephen Harper, then his leadership election, and now as party leader. The two had a long-term romantic relationship and were once expected to marry, but ultimately did not. Despite that, they remain close friends and strong political allies.
Even though Byrne has been on the receiving end of criticism from parliamentarians and unsuccessful candidates, her role will continue to be crucial going forward. Several individuals, both inside and outside the House, are urging Poilievre to let his top adviser go—but whether he will do so remains to be seen.
Anaida Poilievre
Wife and Informal Adviser
Anaida Poilievre, a former House and Senate staffer, is known as an important informal adviser to her husband Pierre on political issues and strategy. Often described as “assertive,” she accompanied her husband throughout the last federal election and leadership campaign. Born in Venezuela and raised in Quebec, Anaida is fluently bilingual and a compelling speaker, earning praise across the country for her oratorical talent.
At major party events, Anaida Poilievre frequently introduces her husband, which has contributed to softening his image—particularly among multicultural communities and women voters—by portraying him as a family man married to an immigrant woman from Quebec.
Melissa Lantsman
Deputy Leader
Melissa Lantsman, a former senior cabinet and MP staffer, has served as deputy leader of the Conservative Party since 2022, following Poilievre’s leadership election win. Known for her impassioned speeches and questioning in the House, she has quickly become a prominent figure within the party.
Frequently entrusted with communicating party policies and political positions, Lantsman plays a pivotal role in shaping Conservative messaging. A staunch ally of Poilievre, she is also a vocal supporter of Israel and a well-recognized member of the Jewish community—a demographic that holds significant importance within the Conservative Party’s electoral base.
Tim Uppal
Deputy Leader
As deputy leader, Tim Uppal holds significant influence within the party. He plays a key role in its outreach to the Sikh community and the broader Indo-Canadian population—both of which are key voter groups in federal elections. During the Stephen Harper government, Uppal served as minister of state for democratic reform and multiculturalism.
Leo Housakos
Conservative Senate Leader
Appointed to the Senate in 2008 by then-prime minister Stephen Harper, Quebec Conservative Senator Leo Housakos is a staunch ally of Poilievre. A former Speaker of the Senate, he plays a key role in shaping opposition strategy in the Red Chamber. Housakos is also actively involved in party efforts in Quebec, helping to recruit candidates, raise funds and supporting nominated candidates by attending events across the country.
Ian Todd
OLO Chief of Staff
A veteran Conservative insider who has served as a senior aide to several right-of-centre leaders—including Preston Manning, Stockwell Day, and Stephen Harper— Ian Todd is the most senior political staffer in Poilievre’s office. In this influential role, Todd manages access to the leader and oversees his schedule, with final authority over which files reach the leader’s desk. He is also responsible for recruiting staff, managing the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, and overseeing its budget. From 2018 to 2021, he served as the Ontario government’s representative in Washington, D.C., under Premier Doug Ford.
Robert Staley
Chair, Conservative Fund Canada
As chair of the Conservative Fund Canada, Robert Staley holds one of the most powerful roles within the Conservative Party. During the most recent federal election, he spent considerable time in the party’s Ottawa war room, offering input on political strategy and legal matters. In his role, Staley oversees all party fundraising and expenditures. Under his leadership, the fund raised record-breaking amounts, driven largely by the widespread belief that Poilievre was poised to form government after the election. Whether the party can sustain that fundraising momentum going forward remains to be seen.
Mike Crase
Executive Director
As the executive director of the Conservative Party—the most senior role at headquarters—Mike Crase serves as Pierre Poilievre’s right-hand man. He holds ultimate authority over party operations, including organization, nominations, fundraising, data management, polling, and election readiness. Prior to moving to Ottawa in 2022 following Poilievre’s leadership election win, Crase held the same position with the Ontario PC Party, where he played a key role in helping Ontario Premier Ford secure two consecutive majority governments.
The Hill Times
Conservative Caucus
Leadership Team:
- Leader in the House of Commons Andrew Scheer
- Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman
- Deputy Leader Tim Uppal
- Deputy House Leader Luc Berthold
- Chief Opposition Whip Chris Warkentin
- Deputy Whip Rob Moore
- Question Period Coordinator Eric Duncan
- Committee Coordinator John Brassard
- National Outreach Chair Arpan Khanna
- Quebec Lieutenant Pierre Paul-Hus
- Special Adviser for British Columbia Mark Strahl
Conservative Critics:
- Housing critic Scott Aitchison
- Transport critic Dan Albas
- Tourism – Tony Baldinelli
- Agriculture and Agri-Food – John Barlow
- Ethics and Accountable Government – Michael Barrett
- National Defence critic James Bezan
- Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement critic Kelly Block
- Rural Development critic Richard Bragdon
- Justice & Attorney General of Canada critic Larry Brock
- Hunting, Fishing and Conservation critic Blaine Calkins
- Public Safety critic Frank Caputo
- International Trade critic Adam Chambers
- Foreign Affairs critic Michael Chong
- Democratic Reform critic Michael Cooper
- Industry critic Raquel Dancho
- Red Tape Reduction critic Scot Davidson
- Revenue critic Gérard Deltell
- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) critic Chris d’Entremont
- Addictions critic Todd Doherty
- Employment critic Garnett Genuis
- Civil Liberties critic Marilyn Gladu
- Official Languages critic Joël Godin
- Social Development and Families critic Laila Goodridge
- Finance critic Jasraj Singh Hallan
- Canada-U.S. Trade critic Shelby Kramp-Neuman
- Treasury Board and the King’s Privy Council critic Stephanie Kusie
- Mental Health and Wellness critic Mike Lake
- Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy, Inter-Provincial Trade critic Phil Lawrence
- Infrastructure critic Leslyn Lewis
- Emergency Preparedness and Community Resilience critic Dane Lloyd
- Digital Government and Artificial Intelligence critic Ben Lobb
- Sport & Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec critic Richard Martel
- Health critic Dan Mazier
- Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario critic Eric Melillo
- Indigenous Services critic Billy Morin
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship critic Michelle Rempel Garner
- Veterans Affairs critic Blake Richards
- Seniors critic Anna Roberts
- International Development and Federal Economic Development for Southern Ontario critic Lianne Rood
- Environment and Climate Change critic Ellis Ross
- Crown-Indigenous Relations critic Jamie Schmale
- Labour critic Kyle Seeback
- Fisheries critic Clifford Small
- Energy and Natural Resources critic Shannon Stubbs
- Canadian Identity and Culture critic Rachael Thomas
- Women, Gender Equality and Youth critic Dominique Vien
- Small Business critic Brad Vis
- Arctic Affairs & Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency critic Bob Zimmer
- Associate Critic for Agriculture Jacques Gourde
- Associate Critic for Fisheries Mel Arnold
- Associate Critic for Labour Rosemarie Falk
- Associate Critic for Official Languages Bernard Généreux
- Associate Critic for Prairies Economic Development Canada & Economic Advisor to the Leader Pat Kelly
- Associate Critic for Finance Éric Lefebvre
- Associate Critic for Natural Resources (Mining and Forestry) Gaétan Malette
- Associate Critic for Transport Dan Muys
- Associate Critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Brad Redekopp
- Associate Critic for Combatting Crime Doug Shipley
- Associate Critic for Natural Resources (Nuclear) Corey Tochor
- Associate Critic for Veterans Affairs Fraser Tolmie
- Associate Critic for Pacific Economic Development Canada Tako Van Popta
- Associate Critic for Canadian Identity and Culture Kevin Waugh
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