Federal election results should motivate Conservatives to ‘soul search’: Houston

HALIFAX — The Liberals’ election win on Monday should prompt some “soul searching” by the national Conservative party, says Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservative premier.

Tim Houston told reporters Wednesday the election results indicate that the federal Conservatives are “great at pushing people away and not so good at pulling people in.”

“I think they probably saw that in some of the results they had across the country,” Houston said.

The Conservatives won just one of 11 seats in Nova Scotia and took only seven of Atlantic Canada’s 32 seats in the vote, which returned the Liberals to power for a fourth consecutive mandate.

Pundits say Pierre Poilievre’s aggressive, populist style of leadership was a tough sell in Atlantic Canada, where traditional Progressive Conservatives — including Houston — largely shunned the federal Conservative leader, who visited Nova Scotia only once during the campaign.

Houston said there should be some reflection on what it means to be Conservative, adding there are “many shades of blue.”

“It can be a big tent and it can be an effective big tent, and I think after four consecutive losses to the Liberal party I think it’s time for them to do some soul searching and I hope they do,” Houston said.

As well, the premier confirmed that media reports about a rift between him and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are accurate, saying the tensions surfaced during November’s Nova Scotia election campaign.

At the time, Houston told reporters that he wasn’t a member of any federal party and hadn’t invited Poilievre to campaign with him. The premier also said there was “no federal equivalent” to the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Party.

“I don’t have a relationship with him (Poilievre),” he said Wednesday. “Obviously during our (Nova Scotia) campaign there was a situation … it’s something that happened that probably had ramifications on both sides.”

Houston also dismissed speculation that he’s interested in the federal Conservative leadership.

“No,” he said when asked. “Well, I’m focused on Nova Scotia. Moving forward there’s a lot we can do in this province, that’s my focus.” Houston doesn’t speak French but replied “un peu” when asked whether he was taking any language lessons.

Leadership talk picked up steam last week when Ontario Premier Doug Ford joked about Houston’s intentions following the release of an online video that immediately went viral. The “My Name is Tim” video includes a speech by Houston that celebrates his home province.

Houston said the video is simply meant to promote Nova Scotia, adding it was “pure coincidence” it was released on the day Poilievre held a rally just minutes from his provincial riding.

Meanwhile, Houston said he was looking forward to working with Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney, adding that he was excited by Carney’s ideas, including a national energy corridor and making Canada an energy superpower.

“I’m a collaborative person, I work with the people I can work with,” he said. “I don’t differentiate between political parties.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 30, 2025.

Keith Doucette, The Canadian Press