Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Wednesday that he plans to keep leading and sees himself as the one national leader fighting for a more affordable Canada. The Canadian Press
Last week brought significant changes for the federal Conservatives. Two MPs left the caucus — one crossed to join the Liberals, the other resigned. Pierre Poilievre, the party leader, addressed the events for the first time in Calgary on Wednesday. He said he hasn’t revisited his leadership style despite the losses.
Questions and Replies
When asked whether the exits spurred self-reflection, Poilievre answered directly: “No.” He said his focus remains on leading the party and championing affordability for Canadians. He described himself as “the only leader in the country that’s fighting for an affordable Canada.”
He also remarked on one MP who crossed the floor, quoting the departing MP’s earlier criticism of the Liberal government. “He said that Liberal food-price inflation under Mark Carney was inhumane. And I couldn’t agree more. … I feel badly for the inhumane conditions … that he is now supporting for his own constituents.”
Background on the MPs
Chris d’Entremont, MP for Acadie-Annapolis in Nova Scotia since 2019, joined the Liberals on Tuesday, boosting the minority government. He cited growing misalignment with Poilievre’s approach: he “wasn’t feeling I was aligned with the ideals of what the Leader of the Opposition had been talking about.”
Meanwhile, Matt Jeneroux, who represented Edmonton-Riverbend for ten years, announced his resignation two days later. He cited family reasons for his decision to step down.
Party Implications
These moves come ahead of the Conservatives’ leadership review at the January convention in Calgary. Although no further departures have been announced, Poilievre said he does not believe his leadership style will trigger more exits. The federal caucus has publicly expressed support for his continued leadership.
The departures also carry implications for the Liberals. With d’Entremont’s switch, the Liberal minority government edges closer to a full majority, though it still remains two seats short.
Budget Clash in the Background
The timing coincides with the government’s push to pass a new budget. Conservatives used comments from Liberal MP Nate Erskine‑Smith, who critiqued his own party’s spending plan, to press their case. Erskine-Smith said the budget “does not live up to its promise of generational investments.” Poilievre cited those remarks to argue the government lacks focus and discipline.
The budget proposes more than $140 billion in new spending over five-years, offset by about $60 billion in savings. With confidence votes looming, the departure of an MP from the opposition and one from the government side adds pressure to both parties.
