The federal Conservative Party is working to mend relationships with some provincial leaders following public tensions with the Progressive Conservative premiers of Ontario and Nova Scotia last year, according to sources. In December, Steve Outhouse, the new campaign manager for Pierre Poilievre, reached out to the offices of Tim Houston and Doug Ford in an attempt to move past a period where both premiers openly criticized Poilievre’s Conservatives.
Sources indicate that these outreach efforts were a priority, with Outhouse, who officially assumed his role on December 1, being seen as a potential mediator due to his positive connections within both Houston and Ford’s circles. The calls focused on emphasizing the interest of Poilievre’s team in establishing a cooperative relationship with the provincial parties and their willingness to collaborate.
Three sources, speaking to CBC News on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of internal party matters, confirmed the outreach initiative. There is a mutual desire among all parties involved to put past disagreements behind and move forward.
Outhouse emphasized the importance of uniting Conservatives nationwide to secure victory in the upcoming federal election. He expressed respect for all segments of the conservative voter base and pledged to work with various conservative factions to achieve electoral success.
A native of Nova Scotia, Outhouse is set to attend the provincial Progressive Conservative annual general meeting in February and has engaged with other provincial PC or Conservative teams across Canada. With experience managing campaigns in several provinces and supporting federal leadership bids, Outhouse is actively working to strengthen conservative ties.
The strained relations between Poilievre’s team and the two premiers were evident before, during, and after the last federal election. In Ontario, tensions arose early on, with Poilievre reportedly congratulating Ford on his re-election weeks after the fact. Ford’s team accused the federal party of neglecting support during the provincial election, prompting Ford to voice his discontent with the lack of assistance.
Similarly, Houston acknowledged tensions with Poilievre’s former chief adviser and criticized the federal Conservatives’ outreach strategy. Efforts to repair relationships have been ongoing since the 2025 election, with Poilievre publicly supporting Ford and defending his decisions amid criticism.
Poilievre’s outreach extends to engaging with former leadership rival Patrick Brown and highlighting common issues. While the impact of these efforts remains uncertain, Poilievre’s initiatives are part of a broader charm offensive aimed at strengthening alliances within the conservative movement.
The effectiveness of Poilievre’s outreach remains to be seen, as neither premier’s office has responded to requests for comment. Poilievre is set to undergo a leadership review at the party’s convention in Calgary later this month.