Wednesday, March 18, 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

Eby calls on Ottawa to be "relentless and remorseless" in pursuing economic growth

Eby calls on Ottawa to be
British Columbia Premier David Eby promises to fire up the provincial economy with a vision that would secure $200 billion in additional investments by 2035. 

Eby calls on Ottawa to be "relentless and remorseless" in pursuing economic growth

Canada, U.S., Finland take step forward on ICE Pact plan to build icebreakers

Canada, U.S., Finland take step forward on ICE Pact plan to build icebreakers
Canada, the United States and Finland took a step toward building new icebreakers despite the breakdown in trade talks between Ottawa and the Trump administration.

Canada, U.S., Finland take step forward on ICE Pact plan to build icebreakers

'Gas-for-wine': South Africa seeks deal to boost trade, investment with Canada

'Gas-for-wine': South Africa seeks deal to boost trade, investment with Canada
As Prime Minister Mark Carney heads to Johannesburg for the G20 summit, Canada and South Africa are talking about a deal to boost bilateral trade and investment that could see more South African wine on Canadian shelves in exchange for gas exports.

'Gas-for-wine': South Africa seeks deal to boost trade, investment with Canada

Report finds one in five immigrants leaves Canada within 25 years

Report finds one in five immigrants leaves Canada within 25 years
A new report says one in five newcomers to Canada leaves the country within 25 years of their arrival — and most of those who leave exit within their first five years here.

Report finds one in five immigrants leaves Canada within 25 years

Shots fired in Abbotsford, B.C.; police link attack to extortion case

Shots fired in Abbotsford, B.C.; police link attack to extortion case
Police in Abbotsford, B.C., are investigating after shots were fired overnight in what investigators are calling the latest case of extortion-related violence in the city.

Shots fired in Abbotsford, B.C.; police link attack to extortion case

Carney defends green pledge to get Budget 2025 passed in narrow vote

Carney defends green pledge to get Budget 2025 passed in narrow vote
Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday defended making a commitment to carbon emission targets to get the government's spending plan over the finish line.

Carney defends green pledge to get Budget 2025 passed in narrow vote