Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party, recently criticized the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) during an appearance on the Northern Perspective podcast. He described the RCMP's leadership as "despicable" for allegedly covering up scandals involving the Liberal government. Poilievre specifically mentioned former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's 2016 vacation on the Aga Khan's island and the SNC-Lavalin affair, stating, "Many of the scandals of the Trudeau era should have involved jail time." He added, "If the RCMP had been doing its job and not covering up for him (for taking a free vacation), he’d have been criminally charged."

This assertion has raised eyebrows, particularly given the historical context. The Conservatives benefited from an RCMP investigation in 2005 that helped them win the election. At that time, the Mounties announced they were investigating the illegal release of information related to income trusts, which shifted public perception and polling in favor of the Conservatives.

Critics argue that Poilievre's comments overlook the fact that the RCMP does not typically confirm investigations, and the only charges stemming from that investigation were against a Department of Finance executive. Furthermore, the law governing conflict of interest for public officials is enforced by the ethics commissioner, not through criminal law. While Trudeau was found to have violated ethics rules, no criminal charges were filed in the Aga Khan or SNC-Lavalin cases.

Poilievre's rhetoric has drawn comparisons to former U.S. President Donald Trump, particularly in its tone and focus on grievance. During the podcast, he emphasized unity within the Conservative Party, stating, "We’ve had very little dissent over the past year. When was the last time you saw an internal fight?" He portrayed the party as a "government in waiting" and dismissed any notion of internal conflict.

Despite his confidence, there are signs of discontent within the party. Reports indicate that the Conservative Party is considering reforms to its nomination process after frustrations arose in various ridings during the last election. For instance, former B.C. finance minister Mike de Jong was reportedly sidelined in favor of a less experienced candidate, which left some party members dissatisfied.

Polls show that Poilievre enjoys significant support among Conservative voters, with a recent survey indicating 85 percent approval. This level of support is comparable to that of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2005. However, Poilievre faces a challenge in matching the popularity of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who holds a substantial lead in preferred leader polls.

As the Conservative Party prepares for a leadership review in January, Poilievre may need to adjust his approach. Observers note that while he has a strong base of support, the broader Canadian electorate has shown a reluctance to embrace his style of politics. The upcoming months will be crucial for Poilievre as he navigates these challenges and seeks to position himself as a viable alternative to the current government.