Political Rises and Falls and Headline Makers in 2023: Year in Review

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shakes hands with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre looks on, at an event in Ottawa on Jan. 30, 2023. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld

As attention finally shifted away from the pandemic, 2023 saw everything from the rise and fall of political fortunes, to consequential pieces of legislation being introduced or passed, to a heightened focus on Chinese interference, and much more.

Here’s a look at some of the major news items in the year.

Political Rises and Falls

The Conservatives ended 2023 with a wide margin in the polls against the governing Liberals as Pierre Poilievre continued to gain momentum in the spotlight, focusing on cost-of-living issues and policies centred on the economy.