Former campaign manager says Conservatives should link U.S. relations to cost of living

Former Conservative campaign manager Jenni Byrne says her party’s messaging on the relationship between Canada and the United States is evolving, and should continue evolving as the situation shifts.

Byrne, who is a looming figure in Conservative politics, says linking the trade war with the U.S. to the party’s central affordability message is key to gaining political ground. 

“I think you absolutely can do both.… I think it’s staying on top of things, being adaptable and seeing how that is actually going to affect Canadians’ day-to-day life,” Byrne said in an exclusive interview with CBC News.

Byrne listed emerging geopolitical threats and Canada’s changing relationship with its closest ally. “All of that, though, contributes to what is going on in Canada in terms of affordability,” she said.

She said issues including trade diversification, rebuilding the military, resource development and building pipelines are all Conservative ideas that would put Canada in a better bargaining position.

Byrne ran the 2025 federal election for the Conservatives, which saw the Conservatives gain seats and grow support, but fail to form government, despite previously holding a 20-point lead in the polls. Poilievre also lost his Ottawa-area riding, later running in a byelection to regain a seat in the House of Commons.

The Conservative campaign faced criticism from some within the party for not being able to pivot on the topic of U.S. President Donald Trump, at a time where his tariff threats helped sweep newly-minted Liberal Leader Mark Carney into power.

A battle of ballot questions ensued, with the Liberals preferring to focus on Trump’s aggressive trade policies, while the Conservatives sought to pin the high cost of living on the governing Liberal party.

Following the election, and amid calls from inside the Conservative caucus and grassroots for her to be replaced, longtime Conservative organizer Steve Outhouse was appointed to run the next campaign.

Byrne said he is a good choice going into the next election — whenever that may be. 

“I think he’s going to do a great job,” she said. “I’ve known Steve for over 20 years. When I worked for Prime Minister Harper, and I did staffing at the start of our government, Steve was one of the first people I met with.”

‘Thrilled’ by leadership results

Byrne had taken a sabbatical from running her consultancy firm ahead of and during the campaign, but now says she is advising Poilievre and caucus when they ask for her support.

“I advise Pierre and caucus and the party when I’m asked and anyone that knows me, I provide advice even when I’m not asked. So, I am never, I’m never too far away,” she said.

She has also recently attended meetings of the party’s National Council, a decision-making body where she was Poilievre’s representative.

She attended the party’s Calgary convention over the weekend, but downplayed her role as an organizer for the event or in the behind-the-scenes campaign to ensure Poilievre got a strong result in the leadership review. 

“I was a delegate and anything that people needed help with from, you know, delivering water to volunteers that needed it to or to helping volunteers around, that’s what I did,” she said. 

But she says his result of 87.4 per cent approval is good for both Poilievre and the Conservatives.

“I’m absolutely thrilled by the results.… Everyone is going home very united, very excited, ready to take on the Liberals.”

Looking ahead to next election

In interviews with CBC News, Outhouse has said Poilievre’s result is decisive enough that it ought to put to bed questions about Poilievre’s leadership.

“I don’t think there’s ever really an end to naysayers. But for right now, that’s a really clear mandate from our membership, and now we can focus on getting ready for the election.” 

He said, now that the leadership review is behind him, Poilievre will travel across Canada and try to grow their voting coalition, with a particular focus on growing their youth vote and engaging first-time voters.