In a show of political enthusiasm rarely seen, Evan Weller, his wife Amber-Dawn, and their three small children traveled an hour and a half to attend Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s rally in Edmonton on Monday night. The experience marked the couple’s first venture into the world of political gatherings, driven by a mix of anxiety about rising living costs and concerns over the country’s financial future should Liberal Leader Mark Carney secure a victory in the upcoming April 28 election.

"Everybody says, 'do something about your future,'" Mr. Weller declared as he maneuvered a stroller along the crowded street leading to the warehouse venue. "You hear all the talk, so why not take action for once in your life?"

The Edmonton rally drew an incredible turnout, with estimates ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 attendees, including families, veterans, and tradespeople who rallied together to hear Poilievre's vision for Canada's future and to voice their discontent with the Liberal administration.

Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper made a notable appearance, introducing Poilievre and emphasizing the critical nature of the upcoming election as a pivotal moment for the nation.

While Poilievre's rallies are intensifying in size and fervor—often eclipsing the attendance at Carney's events—questions linger on whether this palpable support will translate into electoral success. Poilievre himself often gauges the impact of his rallies, eagerly seeking journalists' opinions on the crowd sizes.

"This is a movement like we’ve never seen because people want change," Poilievre asserted confidently. His campaign revolves around themes of strengthening Canada's economy through resource development, tax reductions, and boosting skilled trades. He highlights the urgent need to reduce the nation's reliance on the United States amidst ongoing tensions and tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.

During his enthusiastic speeches, the loudest cheers erupt for promises to slash carbon taxes, relocate the CBC headquarters to free up housing space, cut foreign aid, and foster a "warrior culture" within the military—drawing sharp contrasts to the "woke culture" he criticizes.

The specter of the Canada-U.S. tariff conflict looms large over the election landscape. Despite the recent resurgence of the Liberal Party in the polls following Justin Trudeau's resignation, many rally-goers expressed skepticism about the reliability of these statistics, voicing disbelief that the Liberals could secure a fourth term.

Sandra McIsaac, in line with fellow attendee Rodrick Thomas, articulated her frustration with the Liberal approach to governance. “Enough of the Liberals, enough of spending money we don’t have. We need solutions, not handouts,” she urged, echoing a sentiment heaped upon the shoulders of many in attendance.

Thomas criticized the perception of Carney's leadership shift as merely a diversion from deeper systemic issues plaguing Canada. “Poilievre is getting all the support. We’re making this movement too big to rig,” he remarked confidently.

Among the crowd, Mike Zubkowski, wearing a striking white cowboy hat, emphasized the importance of having a government that adequately represents Western interests in Ottawa. “The track record of the Liberals has embarrassed every Canadian,” he declared. “In the West, we’ve contributed so much, yet the recognition hasn’t matched our efforts.”

Despite the overwhelming support for Poilievre evident in Alberta, concerns surfaced about his appeal in Eastern Canada, with Zubkowski pondering whether the rally's fervor would resonate nationally.

Mrs. Weller, expecting her fourth child, viewed the rally as an opportunity to instill awareness of political issues in her children, while her husband expressed uncertainty about poll accuracy, drawing parallels to discrepancies observed in U.S. elections.

“Usually, I trust the polls. But what happened in the U.S. makes me wonder if something's off,” Mr. Weller concluded, reflecting a mixture of optimism and cautious apprehension.

As the election approaches, the energy at Poilievre's rally fuels hope for change, yet the ultimate outcome remains shrouded in uncertainty. Can this wave of grassroots support propel the Conservatives to victory, or will the Liberals defy the odds once again? Only time will tell.