Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre promoted national unity and downplayed former Reform leader Preston Manning's argument that a vote for Mark Carney's Liberals is a vote for Western secession during a campaign stop Thursday.

"No," said Poilievre when asked if he agrees with Manning's provocative op-ed in the Globe and Mail this week.

"We need to unite the country. We need to bring all Canadians together in a spirit of common ground."

Manning, an elder statesman to many in conservative circles, …