OTTAWA — After an active summer of rodeos, engaging with communities, and a focused door-knocking campaign, Pierre Poilievre is now officially back in Ottawa as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Alberta's Battle River-Crowfoot riding. He secured victory in a byelection held on Monday, August 18, 2025, further solidifying his political presence in one of Canada’s safest Conservative seats.

During his victory celebration in Camrose, Alberta, Poilievre expressed his enthusiasm for representing the region, stating, “Getting to know the people in this region has been the privilege of my life. In fact, I’ve had a hell of a lot of fun.” His commitment to understanding his constituents was evident throughout the summer, where he extensively met voters, attended local events, and visited businesses, reminiscent of his hands-on campaign approach from his early political career.

Poilievre’s return comes on the heels of a tumultuous spring where he lost to Liberal MP Bruce Fanjoy in the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton, following an extensive 36-day tour conducted by the Conservative leader. As he resumes his role in the House of Commons, his focus now shifts to navigating the fall sitting of Parliament and preparing for a leadership review, which is expected following the Conservative party’s constitution that mandates such a review after any leader loses an election.

The upcoming parliamentary session, set to commence on September 15, will mark Poilievre's first confrontation in the House of Commons with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Amanda Galbraith, a Conservative strategist, emphasized the importance of Poilievre demonstrating effective opposition to the government, stating, “He’s going to have to show that he’s really good at holding their feet to the fire.”

Poilievre has already hinted at his legislative agenda, including the introduction of a Canadian sovereignty law. Additionally, the Conservative party is urging the government to expedite construction on critical infrastructure projects, notably two pipeline projects and a natural gas liquefaction initiative. With these announcements, Poilievre is setting the stage for his party's priorities as it positions itself against the current administration’s policies.

As Poilievre resumes leadership in Parliament, Andrew Scheer will return as the Opposition House leader, and Poilievre has committed to reshuffling his “shadow cabinet” during the fall session. This reshuffling aims to ensure the party effectively addresses the political landscape and adjusts to ministerial performance. Jenni Byrne, Poilievre’s former campaign manager, underscored this moment as pivotal for the party moving forward.

Despite focusing on a byelection campaign, which limited his national visibility, Poilievre’s grassroots approach is believed to have granted him valuable insight into the voter sentiments towards the Carney government. Observers like Ginny Roth, a Conservative commentator, affirm that while Poilievre’s current leadership appears stable, he cannot become complacent due to the unpredictability of politics. “There’s a lot to be excited about, and I think Conservative members will recognize that in the leadership review,” Roth commented.

Looking ahead, the Conservative party is scheduled to hold a national convention in Calgary in late January, where Poilievre’s leadership will likely be scrutinized. Despite the initial fallout from the recent election, the party members remain supportive of Poilievre, with no prospective leadership contenders publicly emerging to challenge him at this time.

Overall, the next steps for Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative party involve navigating a new parliamentary session, tackling pressing issues such as the cost of living, crime, and immigration, while simultaneously preparing for leadership accountability.