In a strategic shift, the Conservative Party is using the final week of the election campaign to air TV ads targeting older male voters—a demographic once considered a guaranteed base. The unusual move includes ads during NHL playoffs, featuring seniors golfing and expressing concern for their children’s economic struggles, and another with an endorsement from former prime minister Stephen Harper.
Notably, neither ad features images of current leader Pierre Poilievre. Experts suggest this absence is deliberate, reflecting Poilievre’s low approval ratings among older Canadians. Instead, the ads tap into nostalgia and frustration, aiming to reclaim older male voters drawn toward Liberal Leader Mark Carney.
Dennis Matthews, a former Harper adviser, noted that these ads attempt to reignite Conservative support among men over 50, using relatable conversations and Harper’s credibility. Political analyst Dan Arnold highlighted the shift from past Poilievre-centered ads to more indirect appeals, calling it a response to polling trends that show seniors view Carney more favorably.
Meanwhile, the NDP is also running multiple themed ads, but analysts say the party lacks a cohesive central message. As the election nears, all parties are intensifying their media outreach, but it remains to be seen whether this late-stage Conservative pivot will resonate with crucial older voters.
Source: Swifteradio.com
