Conservatives in Turmoil as Poilievre Faces Party Tensions
It’s been a turbulent week in Ottawa, one that’s left Canada’s Conservative Party facing some serious internal strains. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is now battling questions about his control over his own caucus after a dramatic few days marked by a high-profile defection, secret meetings, and growing frustration among MPs.
The trouble started when Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont crossed the floor to join the Liberals, citing Poilievre’s combative leadership style. He said he supported Prime Minister Mark Carney’s budget because it aligned better with his constituents’ needs. His move stunned the Conservative ranks and immediately sparked chatter about whether more defections might follow.
That speculation only deepened when Edmonton MP Matt Jeneroux announced that he, too, would be leaving the Conservative caucus next year. Although Jeneroux didn’t publicly break with Poilievre the way d’Entremont did, the timing of his announcement raised eyebrows — especially after reports surfaced that he had met privately with Prime Minister Carney and senior aides earlier in the week.
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Insiders say Jeneroux came “very close” to joining the Liberals, though the deal never materialized. Still, his potential departure added fuel to the perception that Poilievre’s leadership may be facing cracks from within. Sources told The Star that between 10 and 15 Conservative MPs are growing frustrated with the party’s direction, though others insist the leadership remains solid and united behind Poilievre.
Tensions reportedly flared behind closed doors after d’Entremont’s defection. Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer and whip Chris Warkentin confronted him in what was described as a heated exchange — one that d’Entremont later said involved raised voices but no threats. Both he and Jeneroux denied being pressured to stay in the caucus, though speculation has continued to swirl.
Meanwhile, the Carney government has managed to survive two major budget votes this week — including one led by the Bloc Québécois that was defeated 307 to 30 — with a third vote still ahead. Despite the wins, Carney’s team is accused by Conservatives of trying to “cobble together” a majority through backroom deals and pressure tactics. Scheer even called the Liberal outreach “undemocratic,” insisting it was all meant to distract from what he called a “terrible budget.”
For now, Poilievre has stayed mostly silent, skipping questions from the media and letting his allies push back against what they claim are Liberal-driven rumors. But inside Conservative circles, the mood is reportedly uneasy — subdued even — as MPs weigh their loyalty and the party grapples with how to present a united front heading into another crucial budget showdown on November 17.
In short, while the Carney government may have survived its latest confidence tests, the bigger question now is whether Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives can weather the storm brewing within their own ranks.
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