Pierre Poilievre holds a Calgary news conference after two MPs quit the Conservative caucus, addressing party unrest and federal budget criticism.
Calgary venue set for major address
On Wednesday at 12:45 p.m. ET, Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, will speak from Calgary, marking his first public news conference since recent caucus departures. The event will be live-streamed and open to media.
Recent defections shake party stability
Last week two Conservative MPs signalled their exit: Chris d’Entremont crossed to the Liberals, citing dissatisfaction with Poilievre’s leadership style and what he described as a confrontational incident in his office. Meanwhile, Matt Jeneroux announced he will leave politics altogether early next year. These moves have contributed to unrest within the party and concern among senior Conservatives.
Implications for government and Parliament
The departures have given the minority Justin Trudeau government extra breathing room in the House of Commons and brought the Liberals closer to a majority. Sources within the Conservative caucus describe a sense of panic as the loss of members raises questions about internal discipline and future floor-crossing.
Budget critique and leadership questions
Poilievre addressed a business audience in Toronto after the federal budget was released, but refrained from discussing the defections or internal rumours of further exits. He has been sharply critical of the budget’s $78-billion deficit and sceptical of the government’s commitment to accelerate natural-resource projects.
Agenda for today’s remarks
In Calgary, Poilievre is expected to respond to the recent exits and outline his leadership message moving forward. He may also challenge Mark Carney — the Finance Minister — on next-day announcements for fast-tracked major projects, framing them as insufficient under his watch.
Why this matters in the broader context
For the Conservatives, this occasion represents a test of leadership clarity and unity at a critical juncture. For the Liberals, the defections have eased the parliamentary path for key policies. The tone and substance of Poilievre’s remarks today could influence public confidence, internal morale and the electoral outlook heading into the next election.
