APRIL 4th, 2025 – Canada’s federal election campaign is in full throttle, but some of the spotlight has shifted from policy pitches to candidate issues as both the Conservative and Liberal parties grapple with the fallout of dropping candidates over past controversies. With voting day just weeks away, these high-profile exits are testing party discipline and fueling debates about vetting processes as the race tightens.
Pierre Poilievre‘s Conservatives have severed ties with four candidates amid revelations of past social media fumbles. The most recent departure, reported just days ago, involved a candidate whose alleged online posts clashed with the party’s platform, marking the fourth such exit in this campaign cycle. Poilievre, who has campaigned on a promise of “respectful and firm” leadership, defended the decision to drop these candidates, stating he wishes to run a decent government. Supporters argue the swift action demonstrates accountability, but critics see it as evidence of the party improperly vetting candidates.
On the Liberal side, the party has now dropped three candidates, with the latest severance being Chris Beach following revelations he was “too critical” of Justin Trudeau. This latest drop comes after video surfaced of Rod Loyola, a former Alberta lawmaker, shockingly praising the islamic terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah at a 2009 anti-NATO rally. Loyola, who had been running in the newly created Edmonton Gateway riding, was ousted following media questions about the footage, in which he called the groups—designated as terrorist organizations in Canada—“movements for national liberation.”
The decision follows the earlier exit of Paul Chiang, who resigned earlier this week after backlash over suggestions he made that his Conservative opponent Joe Tay be abducted and handed over to Hong Kong police for criticizing China, who has a bounty out on his head for the reputational “injury.” Liberal Leader Mark Carney, however, stood by Chiang until he suddenly resigned following the RCMP’s announcement of an investigation into the matter. Still, the back-to-back departures have raised questions about the Liberals’ due diligence amid their apparent willingness to defend offensive candidates.
A Nanos survey this week shows a 10-point Liberal advantage and a Leger poll indicating nearly half of Canadians expect a Liberal win, though other polls have indicated a slight Conservative advantage for the first time since the election was called. Carney, leveraging his reputation as a former central banker, has desperately kept the campaign focused on Trump’s tariffs as well as positions clearly plagiarizing Poilievre’s platform. With the election set for April 28 however, some warn that regional shifts or turnout surprises could still upend the race.
The NDP, led by Jagmeet Singh, has largely avoided similar controversies, focusing instead on tax reform and grassroots efforts in urban centers. However, weak polling indicates a real risk they may lose official party status following the election. Meanwhile, the Liberals and Conservatives continue to dominate the conversation, with their leaders trading barbs over leadership and vision as the candidate purges unfold.
With less than a month to go, these controversies highlight the unpredictable nature of election season. For voters, the stumbles on both sides serve as a reminder that no campaign is immune to turbulence. As the parties adjust their rosters and refine their messages, undecided voters – who number between 8 and 15% * – are up for grabs.
* Ipsos vs. Abacus Data, Feb 21st (Abacus) to March 26th (Ipsos)
