Branden Leslie

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Leslie has stated opposition to Canada’s federal carbon tax, describing it as a wealth redistribution scheme that disproportionately harms rural communities, farmers and small‑business owners. He supports repeal of the existing tax and opposes proposed carbon pricing on fertilizer emissions and related measures^{[12][non-primary source needed]}. He supported Private Member’s Bill C‑234, which sought exemptions for farmers using grain dryers and heating livestock buildings from carbon pricing.^[13]

Leslie describes himself as a defender of “rural way of life” and Canadian family farms, drawing on his upbringing on a farm near Portage la Prairie.^[14] In Parliament he has argued that Bill C‑234 would improve farm viability and help reduce food prices for consumers.^[15]

Leslie has criticized regulatory delays and municipal permit processes for allegedly inflating new housing costs by more than $200,000 per unit. He proposes holding municipalities accountable, streamlining approvals, and converting unused federal buildings into affordable rental housing.^[16]

As opposition MP, Leslie has pledged to hold the Liberal government to account and push for conservative economic policies that reduce the cost of living, cut bureaucracy, and expand private sector growth.^[17] He supports diversifying trade beyond reliance on the U.S., particularly in light of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, urging the removal of interprovincial trade barriers.^[18]

Leslie supports tougher bail laws and opposition to what he characterized as the Trudeau government’s “catch‑and‑release” policies.^[19] He endorses mandatory minimum sentences for serious and repeat violent offenders to enhance public safety.^[14] He has also emphasized protecting the rights of law‑abiding gun owners and opposed Liberal firearm bans.^[20]

Leslie has described Canada’s immigration system as “broken”. He advocates for agreements with provinces to process internationally trained professionals within 60 days and to evaluate candidates based on skills rather than origin, arguing this would help alleviate labour shortages in health care, agriculture, and other sectors.^[16]

Leslie revealed that he is pro-life^[21] and was captured on video saying that he would have voted against the ban on conversion therapy.^[22]

v t e 2025 Canadian federal election: Portage—Lisgar
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%	Expenditures
	Conservative	Branden Leslie	31,889	69.38
	Liberal	Robert Kreis	10,493	22.82
	New Democratic	Lisa Tessier	2,011	4.38
	People's	Kevin Larson	977	2.13
	Green	Janine G. Gibson	595	1.29
Total valid votes/expense limit			45,965	99.28
Total rejected ballots			335	0.72
Turnout			46,300	67.94
Eligible voters			68,152
Source: Elections Canada[23]

v t e Canadian federal by-election, June 19, 2023: Portage—Lisgar Resignation of Candice Bergen
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Branden Leslie	20,250	64.95	+12.43
	People's	Max Bernier	5,352	17.16	−4.42
	Liberal	Kerry Smith	2,666	8.55	−2.40
	New Democratic	Lisa Tessier-Burch	2,208	7.08	−6.30
	Green	Nicolas Geddert	704	2.26	–
Total valid votes			31,180	99.40
Total rejected ballots			188	0.60	−0.15
Turnout			31,368	45.47	−20.77
Eligible voters			68,988
	Conservative hold		Swing		+8.42
Source: Elections Canada[24]