Canada needs our 'common sense' plan, Poilievre says as Conservative convention kicks off

The Conservative party's moment has come to sell Canadians on its 'common sense' plan, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre told his caucus on Thursday as they gathered in Quebec City ahead of the federal party's three-day policy convention where controversial policy pitches risk impacting the party's broadening appeal.

The Conservative party's moment has come to sell Canadians on its "common sense" plan, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre told his caucus on Thursday, as they gathered in Quebec City ahead of the federal party's three-day policy convention where controversial policy pitches risk impacting the party's broadening appeal.

In an address open to media, Poilievre repeated his anti-Justin Trudeau messaging that would be familiar to anyone who had attended one of his rallies this summer: the prime minister and his nearly eight years in power are to blame for the rising cost of living, housing costs and the "crime, chaos, drugs and disorder" that are "common on our streets."

"Justin Trudeau of course, would like us to erase our past and cancel our future, and replace it with the dystopia that now exists in this country," Poilievre said, listing off proposals for how he'd govern differently, to applause from his team.

"That common sense plan will make Canada again the freest country in the world," he said. "United for our common home. Your home, my home, our home."

The Conservative leader is heading into the party confab buoyed by the momentum of strong summer polling numbers—putting within majority government territory should an election be called— after he travelled the country championing his "bring it home" message.

But, with the latest Nanos Research numbers indicating a narrowing of the Conservatives' lead over Trudeau's Liberals, pollster Nik Nanos says this weekend's gathering carries high stakes for Poilievre if he wants to keep appealing to as broad a base of Canadians as possible. 

"I think for the Tories, what they have to do is to show that they are a government in waiting, and that they're not risky. And I think this this is why the meeting in Quebec City is going to be critical," Nanos said.