Unconfirmed reports are circulating that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre plans to resign once Prime Minister Mark Carney secures a majority government, a development that follows a turbulent day for the Conservative Party marked by the defection of MP Marilyn Gladu to the Liberals and the resignation of Poilievre’s communications director, Katy Merrifield.
Gladu, representing Ontario’s Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong riding, crossed the floor to join Carney’s Liberal caucus, pushing the party’s seat count to 171—just one short of the 172 needed for a slim majority in the House of Commons.
Elected as a Conservative in 2015, Gladu cited a desire for collaborative leadership during a transformative period for Canada, stating in a letter to constituents that they demanded “serious leadership and a real plan to build a stronger and more independent Canadian economy.” Her move marks the fifth floor-crossing in as many months and the fourth from Conservative ranks, following Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont, Toronto MP Michael Ma, and Edmonton MP Matt Jeneroux.
Carney welcomed Gladu with praise for her experience as a chemical engineer and business leader, noting her addition brings “lots of energy, ideas, advice on a wide range of issues including execution.” The defection comes ahead of three pivotal byelections on April 13, 2026, in Toronto’s University–Rosedale and Scarborough Southwest—both considered Liberal strongholds—and Quebec’s Terrebonne, a riding the Liberals narrowly won by one vote in spring 2025 before the Supreme Court annulled the result. With up to 10 more MPs reportedly in talks to cross the floor, Carney’s path to a majority could solidify even if Terrebonne slips.
READ: Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu Defects to Liberals, Boosting Carney’s Majority Hopes
Meanwhile, Poilievre’s leadership faces mounting pressure. Alongside the resignation rumors, his communications director, Katy Merrifield, announced her departure effective April 8, to return to personal projects after joining his office last fall. Merrifield, credited with shifting Poilievre’s media strategy toward more traditional outlets like Global News and CBC, will be replaced by Micah Green, with Sam Lilly moving to media relations.
Internal discontent within the Conservative Party adds to the strain. Reports from party insiders suggest Poilievre is seen as a 15-point drag on the party’s polling, with some Tory MPs fearing for their seats under his leadership. This follows Poilievre’s request last week for critic MPs to justify their roles—a move some caucus members found insulting—and a broader dissatisfaction since the Conservatives’ loss to Carney’s Liberals in the 2025 election.
READ: Up to 10 MPs in Talks to Cross Floor to Liberals, Bolstering Carney’s Majority Push
Gladu’s political history offers insight into her surprising shift. A four-time MP who won over 50% of the vote in her riding last spring, she has been a prominent social conservative, chairing the Status of Women committee and serving as shadow minister for civil liberties. Yet past tensions, including her disqualification from the 2020 Conservative leadership race due to logistical barriers and her public criticism of Carney’s first budget with a “D” grade, hint at underlying friction with her former party. Poilievre, who Gladu endorsed in the 2022 leadership race, responded by referencing her earlier stance that floor-crossers should face voters in a byelection, urging her to “honour her word.”
The cumulative impact of these events leaves the Conservative Party grappling with a potential leadership crisis. With Carney’s Liberals poised to potentially secure 173 seats for a more comfortable majority after the upcoming byelections, Poilievre’s reported plan to step down could materialize as early as next week if the Liberals cross the 172-seat threshold on April 13.
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