Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s leadership is again being tested by Conservative defections after he told CTV that Marilyn Gladu’s move to the Liberals was “betrayal,” rejecting the idea that her departure showed a deeper caucus confidence problem.
In the CTV interview, Poilievre was asked whether his “entire caucus” still supported his leadership. He answered by pointing to his leadership review result, saying, “Well, obviously I have 87% support,” before accusing “the liberal establishment and the liberal elites” of trying to shift attention away from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government.
The exchange sharpened when the interviewer asked why Canadians should have confidence in Poilievre if four of his members did not, including “the very conservative Marilyn Gladu.” Poilievre responded that Gladu “ultimately got more votes under my leadership” because he campaigned on “lower taxes and a more affordable life.”
“She’s ultimately made a decision to betray her constituents. Obviously, we’re not going to let people who betray their constituents decide who’s going to be the leader of the Conservative Party,” he said, before making a stake claim: “I am staying.”
AP reported in February that Poilievre retained the Conservative leadership with 87.4% support after losing the previous federal election and his own parliamentary seat, while also facing internal strains as Conservative lawmakers moved to the Liberals.
Gladu’s move was the most politically explosive because of her history inside the Conservative Party. She represented Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong as a Conservative before crossing to the Liberals on April 8, a move that brought Carney within one seat of a majority. Reuters reported that her defection made her the fifth opposition legislator and fourth Conservative to join the Liberals since November.
Gladu defended the switch as a response to the economic and political threat from the US, citing Carney’s leadership during a period of tariff pressure and uncertainty. She said Canada needed “a global leader with a plan” and argued Carney was that leader.
Poilievre countered by saying she should face voters again, especially after previously arguing that floor crossers should trigger a special election.
Beyond Gladu, the Liberals won three special elections in University—Rosedale, Scarborough Southwest, and Terrebonne, lifting Carney’s government to 174 seats in the 343-seat House of Commons.
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