Poilievre Says Conservatives United as They Tackle Affordability

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sept. 25, 2025. The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says his party is united in its focus on affordability amid claims that more Conservative MPs may be joining the Liberals.

Poilievre said in an interview with CBC’s Rosemary Barton, aired on Dec. 14, that affordability is “what unites all Conservatives,” adding that the Liberal government has caused food prices to become so high.

“Affordability, affordability, affordability,” Poilievre said when asked what he is telling his caucus members to ensure they don’t leave. “Canadians cannot afford grocery prices because of Carney’s hidden Liberal taxes on food.”

“What unites all Conservatives is the belief that you should be able to have a full bank account, a full fridge, and a full stomach all at the same time—something that’s not possible after 10 years.”

Toronto-area MP Michael Ma announced on Dec. 11 that he had left the Conservative caucus to join the Liberal Party, saying he made the decision to “focus on solutions, not division.”

When asked whether Ma’s reasons for leaving the Conservative caucus indicate there is a problem with his leadership, Poilievre said, “No, it’s a problem of Mark Carney’s leadership.” He said the prime minister is “trying to manipulate his way through backroom deals” to get a majority government.

“My message to Mark Carney is that if you want a costly majority government to drive up taxes and deficits, then you have to go to the Canadian people and have them vote for it, not do it by dirty backroom deals,” Poilievre said.

Poilievre also said Ma had criticized the Liberal government in the House of Commons on Dec. 2 over the rising cost of food, the budget’s large deficit, and young Canadians being unable to find jobs, housing, or health-care services.

Ma’s floor crossing followed Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont’s decision in early November to defect to the Liberal Party. D’Entremont said his decision was motivated by his desire to vote in favour of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Nov. 4 budget, which the Conservatives opposed.

Following Ma’s defection, the Liberals now have 171 seats in the House of Commons—only one seat short of a majority government.

Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon has said he is aware of other Conservative MPs who may consider crossing the floor as they share similar views as Ma. Meanwhile, he has not specified which MPs are “frustrated” with the party’s leadership and he acknowledged that a “majority” of the Tory caucus wants Poilievre to remain as leader.

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said in an interview with Barton, also aired on Dec. 14, that the Liberals are “not yet there at a majority” when asked if he is comfortable with possibly obtaining a majority through floor-crossings as opposed to an electoral process.

“I don’t know if other Conservative or other MPs will decide to join our caucus,” LeBlanc said.

“Yes, I’m comfortable that these MPs—in the case of my friend from Nova Scotia Mr. d’Entrement, who made the decision some weeks ago, and Mr. Ma—it’s an absolutely legitimate parliamentary decision and we’ll see if others also decide.”

Matthew Horwood contributed to this report.