Caroline Elliott, the runner-up in the recent B.C. Conservative leadership race, has called on federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to avoid divisive remarks after he appeared to criticize her campaign team at a Calgary Stampede event.
In a video posted to social media Thursday, Elliott said the leadership contest is over and Conservatives should now focus on unity.
Elliott Says She Has Long Supported Poilievre
Elliott described herself as a lifelong Conservative and a personal supporter of Poilievre.
She said she voted for him during his own federal Conservative leadership campaign and encouraged her family and friends to donate to him.
Elliott also said she had attended events, knocked on doors and defended Poilievre on social media.
Disappointment Over Reaction to Her Defeat
In her video, Elliott said she was disappointed that some of Poilievre’s MPs, and now Poilievre himself, appeared to celebrate her loss in the B.C. Conservative leadership race.
She said the party should be bringing people together now that the race has ended.
Her message was simple: Conservatives should unite rather than divide.
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Poilievre Praised Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s Victory
Elliott’s comments came after Poilievre spoke at a Calgary Stampede event over the weekend.
During the event, he acknowledged the presence of Kerry-Lynne Findlay, who defeated Elliott in May after a fourth-ballot leadership victory.
Poilievre praised Findlay’s win, calling it a major victory against “liberal lobbyists from out east.”
Comment Seen as Shot at Kory Teneycke
Poilievre’s remark was widely viewed as a reference to Kory Teneycke, Elliott’s campaign manager.
Teneycke had previously helped run successful campaigns for Ontario Premier Doug Ford before joining Elliott’s leadership team.
Tensions Between Poilievre and Ford Teams
Tensions between Poilievre’s camp and Ford’s team became public during last year’s federal election campaign.
Teneycke criticized the federal Conservative campaign at the time, arguing that Poilievre risked losing unless he changed his message and focused more on U.S. President Donald Trump.
CBC News said it reached out to Poilievre’s office for comment on Elliott’s remarks.
Anthony Koch Praises Elliott
Anthony Koch, who worked on both Elliott’s B.C. leadership campaign and Poilievre’s 2022 federal leadership bid, reposted Elliott’s video.
He called her “the ultimate class act.”
Elliott Says Politics Should Be About Addition
Elliott said she had been in the backcountry for several days and only had the chance to respond on Thursday.
She said politics should be about addition, not subtraction.
She also said public interest should come before personal disputes.
Elliott Calls for Unity Going Forward
Elliott said she will continue working to bring people together for the future of British Columbia and Canada.
She ended her message by saying she hopes Poilievre chooses to do the same.
Caroline Elliott’s response to Pierre Poilievre’s Calgary Stampede remarks highlights lingering tensions within Conservative circles after the B.C. leadership race.
While Poilievre praised Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s victory, Elliott urged him to move beyond campaign divisions and focus on unity. Her message reflects a broader call for Conservatives to put personal disputes aside and work together after a competitive leadership contest.
