What Is the Reform Act, and How Will It Impact Poilievre?

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre arrives on Parliament Hill for a meeting of the Conservative caucus following the federal election, in Ottawa on May 6, 2025. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

In addition to selecting an interim Opposition leader in the House on May 6 while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre remains without a seat in the House of Commons, Tory MPs also voted to invoke the federal Reform Act, which allows for a secret-ballot vote to review party leadership at any time.

While many Conservative MPs have expressed their support for Poilievre, the legislation could haunt him as he gets ready for the next federal election. 

Previous Usage

The Reform Act, 2014, which was first introduced by Conservative MP Michael Chong and enacted by Parliament in 2015, increased the power and independence of MPs by allowing them to trigger a leadership review, expel an MP from caucus, or elect or remove a caucus chair. The leadership review and MP expulsion processes can happen if 20 percent of the caucus votes in favour.