OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is facing criticism from within his own party after choosing to appoint a candidate to run in an upcoming byelection in southern Ontario, instead of holding a nomination contest. Poilievre announced at a rally on Sunday the party chose outgoing Brantford, Ont., mayor Kevin Davis to carry the Tory banner in the byelection. The news prompted the two former members of Parliament for the area to walk out of the event. The seat in Brantford-Brant South became vacant on Friday, when Larry Brock stepped down to return to his former role as a Crown prosecutor. On Saturday, Brock appeared in a video on social media with Dave Carrol, the man he wanted to “hand over the baton to” as the Conservative candidate. Carrol, a local pastor and longtime member of the Conservative party, shared the video, in which Brock said Carrol was “well poised to take over” and credited him with helping win the riding in 2021 and 2025. A day later, Poilievre surprised many — including Carrol — when he announced Davis’s name will be on the ballot. “We need someone who can fight for Brantford-Brant South the way that Larry Brock has for the last five years,” Poilievre said at the rally in Brantford. “We need someone who will fight for Canada and fight for you, who will fight to save you money, save your job, keep you safe, fix immigration and put Canada first. And that person is your mayor, Kevin Davis.” Brock, who was seated behind Poilievre at the event, left his seat seconds after the announcement was made. He did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Phil McColeman, who represented the seat for the Conservatives for 13 years before Brock, also stood up and walked out. He told the Brantford Expositor he was upset about the decision not to hold an open nomination. A byelection has not yet been called in Brantford-Brant South. It must be called within six months of the seat becoming vacant. A spokesperson for the Conservative party said Poilievre exercised his authority to choose Davis “to ensure a candidate was in place and ready to hit the ground running.” “Kevin Davis was overwhelmingly endorsed by local grassroots Conservatives at the rally (Sunday), including the riding association president Caine Chapman, Larry Brock’s former campaign manager Phil Gillies, nomination opponent Josh Wall, and two candidates for mayor,” said Sarah Fischer in a statement. Carrol said he had been working for six weeks to secure the nomination, and that he had the support of both Brock and McColeman. “I wish Kevin Davis well, but I would be less than honest if I said I wasn’t deeply disappointed,” he posted on social media on Sunday. Carrol said the party’s grassroots tradition is what drew him to the Conservatives, and noted that he has been active in fundraising, door-knocking and supporting local candidates. “I think an open nomination process is a good thing. It tests the candidates to prove they have the support of party members and the community,” he wrote. Poilievre, as party leader, has the ability to appoint candidates in up to eight ridings between elections. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 21, 2026. Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press
