Following Pierre Polièvre’s defeat in the Carleton riding, Saskatoon MP Andrew Scheer has assumed temporary leadership of the opposition. The former Conservative leader and former Speaker of the House of Commons said on May 6 that he would serve until Polièvre wins a seat in a by-election in Alberta, where newcomer Damien Kurek is set to step aside.

Meanwhile, the Conservative caucus voted to invoke the “Reform Act,” which allows for a leadership review to be initiated in secret. While Polièvre has yet to be formally challenged, this is the mechanism previously used to oust Erin O’Toole.

In a video released on May 5, Polièvre admitted, “We’re not over the finish line — we need to learn and expand.” The Liberals won 169 seats, the Conservatives 143, with narrow recounts possible.

Scheer noted that the main task of the Conservatives in the new parliament will be to restore free trade with the United States. “We need the threat of tariffs to stop. We will support any steps aimed at this,” he said.

On the same day, Prime Minister Mark Carney held talks with US President Donald Trump. They discussed trade, security and tariffs. Carney called the meeting constructive, but did not indicate a time frame for lifting restrictions.

Scheer sharply criticized Trump’s remarks about the “51st state” and threats of annexation, calling for an end to the pressure on Canada.