Pierre Poilievre is the new leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and will lead the party into the next federal election.
Poilievre, the 43-year-old veteran Conservative MP, was declared Conservative Party leader with 68.15 per cent of the vote on the first ballot at a leadership announcement event at Ottawa's Shaw Centre Saturday evening.
"Tonight begins the journey to replace an old government that costs you more and delivers you less with a new government that puts you first, your paycheck, your retirement, your home, your country," said Poilievre. "By tackling Liberal inflation, we'll put you back in control of your life and your money."
Progressive Conservative MP Jean Charest came second with 16.8 per cent of the vote. Leslyn Lewis placed third with 9.69 per cent of the vote. Roman Barber placed fourth with 5.03 per cent of the vote and Scott Aitchison finished last with 1.06 per cent of the vote.
"Thank you to Scott Aitchison for running on ideas like simplifying and lowering taxes," said Poilievre. "Thank you to Roman Baber for standing up for and making sacrifices for freedom for everybody. Thank you to Leslyn Lewis for standing for family, faith, and freedom. And thank you to Jean Charest for your service to our country."
Voters had until Tuesday to mail in their ballots. Deloitte served as the validator, and campaigns could scrutinize ballots at the processing centre in Ottawa.
The party released the final voters’ list in late July with a record 678,708 members eligible to cast a ballot. The results were calculated in points, with up to 100 points allocated to each of the 338 ridings.
Poilievre won the election by securing 22,993 of the 33,738 electoral points up for grabs. He replaces former party leader Erin O’Toole, who was voted out by his caucus in early February, triggering the leadership race.
"They (Canadians) need a prime minister who hears them and offers them hope they can again afford to buy a home, a car, pay their bills, afford food, have a secure retirement, and god forbid even achieve their dreams if they work hard. They need a prime minister that will restore that hope and I will be that prime minister."
- With files from Adelle Loiselle
