Carney’s Expanding Ranks Spell Momentum — and Mounting Trouble for Poilievre
Prime Minister Mark Carney is doing more than governing — he is gathering strength.
While his opponents continue to insist his Liberal government remains vulnerable, the reality inside Ottawa tells a very different story. Carney’s caucus is growing, his parliamentary position is strengthening, and his government is edging ever closer to majority status. In recent months, four opposition MPs have crossed the floor to join the Liberals, including three Conservatives and former NDP MP Lori Idlout. The latest crossover is Conservative Marilyn Gladu ( See Star -> Gladu )
That is not political trivia. It is a statement.
MPs do not abandon their own parties lightly, particularly not in clusters. They do so when they sense momentum has shifted, when they believe power is consolidating elsewhere, and when confidence in their own leadership begins to erode.
That is precisely what appears to be happening now.
Carney projects positive image
Carney, whatever one thinks of his politics, has managed to project what many Canadians — and evidently many MPs — see as seriousness, competence and discipline. He has cultivated the image of a leader in command of events, not merely reacting to them. Whether deserved or not, that perception matters in politics, and right now it is working in his favour.
The same cannot be said for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
Every MP who defects from the Conservative caucus is not simply joining Carney — they are rejecting Poilievre. Matt Jeneroux became the third Conservative MP in recent months to cross to the Liberals, a development that has intensified questions about Poilievre’s hold on his caucus.
Poilievre, hot air vs substance
Poilievre has spent years mastering the politics of anger. He is a formidable attack dog, an expert at slogans, social-media clips and outrage-fuelled opposition. But opposition theatrics and leadership are not the same thing. A politician who can deliver a cutting one-liner in Question Period is not necessarily a politician who can unify a party, inspire loyalty, or persuade colleagues that he is ready to govern.
And that may be the central problem confronting today’s Conservatives.
When MPs begin leaving your caucus for the governing party, the issue is no longer messaging. It is no longer optics. It is no longer media spin. It is leadership.
Skepticism about Poilievre growing
The defections toward Carney are not isolated incidents; they are warning flares. They suggest that inside Conservative circles, doubts are growing about whether Poilievre’s combative style, perpetual grievance politics, and confrontational rhetoric can broaden beyond his base and translate into actual governing credibility.
Politics is ultimately a confidence game, and confidence in Poilievre appears to be slipping at precisely the moment confidence in Carney is rising.
The bottom line: leadership questioned
If this trend continues, Conservatives may soon face an uncomfortable truth: their greatest obstacle to power may no longer be the Liberals — but their own leader.
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More attrition of the Conservative ranks:
Poilievre’s communications director Katy Merrifield resigns
Canadian Press
OTTAWA – Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s communications director Katy Merrifield is resigning.
Merrifield announced her departure in an email sent to the Conservative caucus Tuesday, adding her last day working in the Opposition Leader’s Office will be Friday.
Merrifield joined Poilievre’s team last year around the time he began doing more mainstream media interviews and reaching out to talk to as many people as possible.
