OTTAWA — Former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper has endorsed Pierre Poilievre as the party’s next leader.
In a rare public return to party politics, Harper released a short video on Twitter discuss its approval.
Harper says the contest to lead the party is filled with candidates, but one stands out.
The former prime minister says Poilievre was a strong minister under him when the Conservatives were last in power, before being beaten by Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2015.
Harper says Poilievre has spent the last few years in opposition being the party’s “most outspoken and effective critic” of the government.
He says Poilievre spoke about pressing economic issues like debt and inflation, and presented solutions that are “rooted in good conservative ideas.”
“Internet evangelist. Extreme communicator. Subtly charming alcohol aficionado. Typical tv geek.”