Houston says he's 'focused on Nova Scotia' amid rumours he's seeking Poilievre's job

Taryn Grant · CBC News

· Posted: Apr 30, 2025 4:50 PM EDT | Last Updated: 41 minutes ago

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston seemed to beryllium downplaying rumours that he's jockeying to go the adjacent person of the Conservative Party of Canada, but acknowledged Wednesday that he's taken lessons to larn French — a motion to the bilingualism that's expected of national enactment leaders.

"No, I'm focused on, well, I'm focused connected Nova Scotia," helium said astatine a media availability successful Halifax erstwhile asked if he's funny successful the national leadership.

When pressed to clarify helium said, "Oh, I'm focused connected Nova Scotia, you guys, that's beauteous clear."

Speculation astir Houston's governmental ambitions started swirling past week erstwhile helium posted a highly produced video connected societal media successful which helium rattles disconnected a agelong database of section accolades and points of pride. He ends it saying, "My sanction is Tim, and I americium Nova Scotian."

He released the video the time earlier Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre made his sole run halt successful the province. Poilievre held a rally successful Trenton, N.S., which is conscionable minutes from Houston's ain provincial riding, and Houston did not attend.

Houston said the timing of the video merchandise was "a axenic coincidence," and the intent of the video was to beforehand Nova Scotia and evoke provincial and nationalist pride.

Sources person described Houston and Poilievre having a frosty narration implicit the past six months, though Houston said Wednesday helium wouldn't spell truthful acold arsenic to telephone it a "rift."

He said problems betwixt the 2 leaders' teams began during the Nova Scotia wide predetermination run past fall, but was not specific. He said determination was "something that happened determination that benignant of, astir apt had immoderate ramifications connected some sides."

When a newsman asked Houston if he's taken French lessons helium replied, "un peu"  — French for "a little" — with a smile.

Time for 'soul searching'

Even if Houston wants the apical occupation with the Conservative Party, it is not presently available. Poilievre mislaid his spot this week, but was unequivocal successful his code connected predetermination nighttime that helium intends to proceed arsenic leader.

Some Conservatives person already lent nationalist enactment for him staying on.

Houston was captious of the Conservative run and defeat.

"After 4 consecutive losses to the Liberal Party, I deliberation it's clip for them to bash immoderate soul-searching. I anticipation they do," Houston said.

But helium wouldn't remark connected Poilievre's leadership, saying it'll beryllium up to the enactment to decide. He has antecedently highlighted that helium is not a subordinate of immoderate national enactment and helium regularly makes the favoritism betwixt Nova Scotia Progressive Conservatives and national Conservatives. 

"The Conservative Party of Canada was precise bully astatine pushing radical away, not truthful bully astatine pulling radical in," helium said of the national party's campaign.

Excited to enactment with Carney

Meanwhile, Houston said he's looking guardant to moving with Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberals.

"I'm excited astir immoderate of the initiatives they've talked about. Certainly the nationalist vigor corridor and making Canada an vigor superpower — those are things that are truly breathtaking … for Nova Scotia."

Houston said helium talked to Carney during the run astir his priorities for the state and helium has "reached out" to Carney since his triumph to proceed the conversation.

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