Pierre Poilievre vs. Mark Carney: What's the Difference?
Insights from Expert Pollster David Coletto
As Canada heads toward the 2025 federal election, the political battlefield is increasingly defined by two figures: Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and newly minted Liberal leader Mark Carney. While their policy positions will undoubtedly shape their campaigns, their differences run deeper—into their leadership styles, messaging, and how they respond to a rapidly shifting global landscape.
David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, provided key insights into how each leader is perceived and why this election is shaping up to be a battle of stark contrasts.
Leadership Style: The Fighter vs. The Navigator
Pierre Poilievre has built his brand on being an aggressive and unapologetic critic of the status quo. He has effectively tapped into public frustration over affordability and government policies, positioning himself as the leader of change. As Coletto noted:
"He was a very effective leader of the opposition, and he is a very effective leader of the opposition. He convinced Canadians, when Justin Trudeau was the prime minister, that it was time for a change."
But now, with Justin Trudeau stepping down and Donald Trump re-entering the global conversation, Poilievre is facing a new challenge: convincing Canadians he’s the right leader in a time of precarity.
Meanwhile, Mark Carney presents a stark contrast—a former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, he is positioning himself as a steady, experienced hand during uncertain times.
"We actually asked Canadians between Poilievre and Carney who do you think best fits that description, and they're basically tied on that."
This signals that Canadians are now evaluating leadership not just in terms of opposition strength, but in terms of who can provide stability in a volatile world.
The Trump Factor: A Game-Changer
One of the most significant shifts in voter priorities has been the rise of Donald Trump as a key election issue in Canada. Coletto explained how this has reshaped the political landscape:
"One villain left the stage, and a bigger, badder, more scary villain entered—one that was external to the country."
Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian imports have alarmed many voters, forcing them to reconsider their choices. While Poilievre had successfully built his coalition around dissatisfaction with Trudeau, he now faces a divided conservative base on the Trump question.
"Even today, even though Donald Trump's negatives have reached a record high in Canada, one in four Conservative supporters still like Donald Trump. They have a positive impression of him, but two-thirds don’t."
Carney, by contrast, benefits from this shift. His expertise in global economics positions him as someone who can stand up to Trump and navigate Canada through the economic storm.
Compassion vs. Toughness
Another key difference between the two leaders is their tone and approach to governance. Poilievre is often seen as sharp and combative, whereas Carney is viewed as composed and pragmatic.
"We are actually seeking a compassionate set of hands, right, somebody who understands what this uncertainty is doing to us."
This shift in public sentiment could make Poilievre’s hard-edged style less effective. Carney’s calm demeanor and lack of traditional political baggage may work to his advantage.
"My mother, who I think is like that typical baby boom swing voter, lives in suburban Toronto and she texted me the other day after watching the leadership convention on the weekend, the little pieces of it, and said, you know, maybe because he's not a politician we can trust him more, maybe he'll be more honest."
The Battle for Young Voters
Both leaders are vying for younger Canadians, but their strategies are drastically different. Poilievre has actively engaged with new media, appearing on platforms like Jordan Peterson’s podcast to appeal to young, often disaffected voters.
"Poilievre, to his credit, knows who his audience is, and so he goes on the Jordan Peterson podcast and we did some research on this, knowing full well that the number one audience for that podcast is young men, and he can speak directly to them."
Carney, on the other hand, appeals to a different segment of young voters—those looking for stability, economic expertise, and leadership in a crisis.
The Stakes of the Election
Ultimately, this election will be a referendum on what kind of leadership Canadians want during uncertain times. Do they want a fighter who will shake up the system, or a seasoned expert who will guide the country through turbulence?
"The ballot question is still sort of teetering on like a seesaw between like is this about scarcity or is this about precarity? And it's not decided yet, but I still think the momentum is moving towards a place where Mark Carney is in a more favorable position to win as a result."
The contrast between Poilievre and Carney is one of the starkest in recent political history. Canadians will soon decide which vision of leadership best aligns with their hopes—and fears—for the future.
Follow David Coletto here: inFocus with David Coletto
Does not anyone realize that trump wants Carney to win because he has a lot of investments in the US and Trump will have Carney in the palm of his hand and will squeeze. Carney would give up Canada in an instant to save his money.
I was asked why is, Pierre is a better choice for Prime Minister, so I left this answer.
I posted it a few times now.
"Pierre is the best man for the job because.
He knows how the Government works inside and out; he's held several ministerial positions, which gives him insight that Carney doesn't have.
Pierre has incredible MPS to position in Cabinet, which is another thing that Mark Carney doesn't have, and he has over 25 years of experience; his policies and goals are well thought out and will bring Canada out of the economic crisis that the Liberal government and Mark Carney created.
You have to remember that Mark Carney was Trudeau's Economic Advisor and was responsible for the financial decision-making and policies the Liberal government implemented.
Pierre will create tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of jobs in his first year, with his housing strategy, his energy strategy, interprovincial trade and other deregulatory moves that slow things down and cost money.
Removing interprovincial trade barriers will get commerce growing inside Canada.
The Pierre Conservatives will renegotiate trade terms with the US, and get tariffs lowered or removed with the United States instead of ending our 150-year partnership with the best ally and friend Canada has ever had.
One of the important things to note is, Pierre is not a Globalist Elite; he's not indebted to China, or being propped up by Beijing like Carney is. Carney is also deeply tied to the WEF and other outside influences.
Pierre will remove anyone who is from a Pierre Conservative government with any affiliation to the WEF and outside influences.
We know who Pierre is from his 25 years of service. Mark Carney won't disclose his conflicts of interest, which are many, and that makes him untrustworthy; and if they were known, I believe they would disqualify him from running for any political office or position in Canada.
He's proven to be corrupt and a tax dodger, and he's lied on several occasions in just a few weeks. I'm unclear what people see in him that outweighs his downfalls..
Carney is going to carry out his Net Zero agenda, which will further decimate the economy, shut down industries, forcing layoffs, job losses, and business closures. Carney won't repeal Bill C-69, the Anti-Pipeline Bill, capping oil and gas, that alone will take hundreds of billions out of our GDP YEARLY. He fails on just about every front, and his banking experience isn't going to make any difference.
We just learned he lied about his phone call with President Trump, and to make matters worse, he told the President he thinks he is a transformative President and looks forward to working with him.
Well, Carney told us he could stand up to Trump, and Trump respects tough Leaders, yada, yada, yada... If that's Carney's version of tough, Canada will get its ass kicked if he's elected.
Carney is better suited for a Banker Job than a Politician. We need the right kind of experience to lead the country, and Carney doesn't have it.
I wrote this in a hurry, so I left out many of Pierre's greatest assets, and Mark Carney has some too, but they don't align with what this country needs moving forward at this time".
I'm updating this message, and want to say, Mark Carney's Net Zero Economy is in every aspect a nightmare. https://horizons.service.canada.ca/en/2025/01/10/future-lives-social-mobility/index.shtml
The Liberal Government's Privy Council recently released a report that is shocking to say the least. It describes a bleak, dystopian, dark future for Canada, where Canadians will have to forage and hunt for food to eat.
That's not propaganda, that's coming straight from the Privy Council's office, and a year ago, the RCMP released another staggering report that showed the same outcome, but with crime out of control, and police overwhelmed.
The Election is 2 days away. I hope enough Canadians are aware of who and what they're voting for. I'm voting Conservative, it is our only hope