Pierre Poilievre didn’t make a campaign stop in Mississauga and people are disappointed

The results are in and the Liberal Party’s Charles Sousa won the Mississauga-Lakeshore by-election, but many are wondering why Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre didn’t do any public campaigning in Mississauga.

Sousa, a longtime politician in Mississauga, won with just over 51 per cent of the votes. Conservative Ron Chhinzer took over 37 per cent of the votes, Sousa’s closest contender.

Many saw this by-election as a test for newly elected Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre but supporters didn’t see him making much effort in the riding.

The byelection was called on Nov. 6 and Poilievre was in Mississauga for at least two private events in the weeks before election day. On Nov. 27, he was at the Lobana Gala.

Lobana Gala in Mississauga was filled with entrepreneurs, families and other great Canadians ready who deserve safe streets & powerful paycheques. pic.twitter.com/n9DCURqlg5

— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) November 27, 2022

And he was at another event with the Polish community in Mississauga in October before the election was called.

Met hundreds of people from Mississauga's Polish community this afternoon.

40-year high #JustinFlation is taking a bite out of their paycheques.

They want to stop the Liberal-NDP #CostlyCoalition tax hikes and bring down the cost of government so life is less expensive. pic.twitter.com/9swFl0FMbu

— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) October 30, 2022

But he didn’t make a public campaign stop and Poilievre’s team did not respond to several requests for comment as to why he made that choice.

Trudeau visited Sousa’s campaign office on Dec. 1. And although many people expected a Liberal win, supporters hoped the party leadership would make more of an effort.

“PP not showing up is an insult to all of us looking for change,” one person wrote on Twitter.

Other than signs on Mississauga rd you would never know there was an election. I did see Singh in Port Credit so you have to at least give him that. PP not showing up is an insult to all of us looking for change. If he is not serious about the GTA then we have no chance.

— Jason (@jasonhayes71) December 13, 2022

Poilievre appears to have been on the east coast of Canada in the days leading up to the election.

“You didn’t visit the riding to support your candidate,” another wrote.

You didn’t visit the riding to support your candidate.

Helping in this riding door knocking, the voters we’ve talked to say #Sousa’s the man ✌️#Vote #Liberal #Mississauga

— Summerwind 😷 (@CanadianGir2112) December 12, 2022

“Pierre chose not to visit the Mississauga-Lakeshore constituency during the byelection campaign. What does it mean when the Party leader doesn’t support the local candidate with his presence?” another person wrote.

“Meanwhile, you didn’t campaign at all in Mississauga Lakeshore that has a by election tomorrow. It’s like you don’t even want to beat Trudeau but only to do videos to your echo chamber,” another said.

Poilievre wasn’t completely silent during the campaign. He did tweet out his support for Chhinzer late in the day on Dec. 12.

The people of Mississauga-Lakeshore have a strong Conservative candidate to vote for in today’s by-election.

With 20 years in law enforcement as a police officer & anti-gang expert @realronchhinzer will be a strong advocate to tackle crime & restore safe streets in Mississauga. https://t.co/iuAYPgTdMf

— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) December 12, 2022