Tuesday, March 17, 2026
ADVT 
National

Small group of Conservatives frustrated with Poilievre: government House leader

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Dec, 2025 09:52 AM
  • Small group of Conservatives frustrated with Poilievre: government House leader

Government House leader Steven MacKinnon says there are more Conservatives who are "frustrated" with the political direction being taken by their party.

MacKinnon answered questions from reporters this morning, the day after Michael Ma left the Conservatives to join the Liberal caucus.

The Liberals issued a press release Thursday evening announcing Ma's surprise departure from the Conservative caucus, just one day after he'd attended the Conservative Christmas party and posed for a photo alongside leader Pierre Poilievre.

The move puts the Liberals one seat shy of a majority government, after Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont also defected from the Conservative ranks last month.

MacKinnon says he won't speculate on whether the Liberals will court more MPs to cross the floor to secure a majority government.

But says he is hearing from a small group of Conservatives who recognize the need for "serious solutions" as Canada faces down a U.S. trade war and geopolitical shifts.

Poilievre said on social media Thursday night Ma was elected to oppose the Liberal policies he is now endorsing and will have to answer to his constituents.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

MORE National ARTICLES

External review latest to call for more B.C. home-share funding years after death

External review latest to call for more B.C. home-share funding years after death
An external review of British Columbia's home-sharing program for adults with developmental disabilities says the government needs to increase funding to the Crown corporation in charge if it wants to deliver safe and timely supports.

External review latest to call for more B.C. home-share funding years after death

Carney to announce new supports for lumber, steel sectors hammered by U.S. tariffs

Carney to announce new supports for lumber, steel sectors hammered by U.S. tariffs
The federal government plans to inject $500 million in loan guarantees for Canada's softwood lumber industry and further limit foreign steel imports to support the sectors being hammered by U.S. tariffs.

Carney to announce new supports for lumber, steel sectors hammered by U.S. tariffs

Vancouver's iconic, three-decade-old fireworks festival cancelled due to finances

Vancouver's iconic, three-decade-old fireworks festival cancelled due to finances
The iconic Vancouver waterfront fireworks festival that has been held for more than three decades has been cancelled indefinitely due to financial difficulties.

Vancouver's iconic, three-decade-old fireworks festival cancelled due to finances

B.C. Coastal First Nations vow oil pipeline to coast 'will never happen'

B.C. Coastal First Nations vow oil pipeline to coast 'will never happen'
The president of the Coastal First Nations in British Columbia says an oil pipeline linking Alberta to the province's north coast "will never happen."

B.C. Coastal First Nations vow oil pipeline to coast 'will never happen'

'December to remember': Winter will get off to an abrupt start, Weather Network says

'December to remember': Winter will get off to an abrupt start, Weather Network says
Blasts of frigid Arctic air could send temperatures tumbling in December and herald the arrival of a more "traditional Canadian winter," a meteorologist for the Weather Network predicts as it releases its seasonal outlook. 

'December to remember': Winter will get off to an abrupt start, Weather Network says

B.C. launching review of post-secondary education in wake of declining stability

B.C. launching review of post-secondary education in wake of declining stability
British Columbia is launching an independent review into its public post-secondary education system as enrolment drops and inflation rises. 

B.C. launching review of post-secondary education in wake of declining stability