In a significant strategic move, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has appointed seasoned political operative Steve Outhouse as the party's campaign manager for the next federal election. This change sees Outhouse replacing Jenni Byrne, signaling a fresh approach as the Conservatives prepare for a potential electoral contest that could be triggered at any moment under the current minority government.
A Proven Track Record of Winning Campaigns
The Conservative Party confirmed the appointment on Saturday, November 23, 2025, bringing Outhouse aboard fresh from his latest provincial campaign victory in Newfoundland and Labrador. Outhouse played a crucial role in helping Tony Wakeham's Progressive Conservatives end a decade of Liberal rule in that province, with Wakeham becoming premier on October 29.
Outhouse brings more than 25 years of political experience to his new role. The Nova Scotia native has lived in Ottawa since 1998 and has worked with numerous Conservative ministers including Loyola Hearn, Lisa Raitt, Jim Prentice, Lawrence Cannon, Leona Aglukkaq, and Gail Shea. He previously served as chief of staff to Pierre Poilievre in 2015 when the current Conservative leader was minister of Employment and Social Development.
Election Readiness in a Minority Parliament
The timing of this appointment comes amid heightened political uncertainty in Ottawa. The minority government under Prime Minister Mark Carney recently survived a confidence vote on Monday, though some Liberals are pushing for a spring election in hopes of securing a majority government.
"We do need to be ready to go at any point in time. My task will be to come in and get things ready as soon possible," Outhouse stated in a phone interview from his suburban Ottawa home.
Outhouse will begin his full-time role in early December after completing transition work with Newfoundland and Labrador's new government. His immediate challenge will be to focus a Conservative Party that has recently faced internal challenges, including a floor crossing, a resignation, and speculation about other potential departures.
Learning from Losses to Secure Future Wins
Despite his impressive record of recent victories, Outhouse emphasizes that his most valuable lessons came from electoral defeats. "Losses teach you so much; I've learned so much from losing elections, more than winning elections," he revealed, noting how these experiences taught him to improve campaign structure, rely on clearer data, and budget resources more effectively.
His campaign management credentials extend beyond provincial politics. In 2020, Outhouse helped political outsider Leslyn Lewis finish a strong third in the federal Conservative leadership race, where she captured the most votes in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. More recently, in 2023, he helped Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party secure victory in Alberta's provincial election despite trailing the NDP in polls months before the vote.
The Path to Victory
The Conservative Party faces the challenge of building upon the 8.1 million votes Poilievre received in the April election—the second-highest total in Canadian history, behind only the 8.5 million votes that secured Carney's government. To win the next election, Outhouse must guide the party to either attract new voters who typically don't cast ballots or win back swing voters who shifted from Conservatives to Liberals in the last campaign.
Outhouse fully endorses Poilievre's focus on economic issues affecting younger Canadians. "I do appreciate that Pierre is focused on the cost of living and things that matter. I talk to my kids about issues like buying a home and it seems foreign to them," he said, referencing his two university-aged children.
This suggests that affordability, housing, and cost of living will feature prominently in Conservative messaging during the next election campaign. While the election date remains uncertain in the minority parliament situation, Outhouse has made it clear that preparing the party for any eventuality is now his primary mission.
