The Exodus Continues: Aitchison's Exit and the Erosion of the CPC Caucus
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As Scott Aitchison prepares to resign, the Conservative Party faces a mounting crisis of stability under Pierre Poilievre.
The Conservative Party of Canada is facing another blow to its internal stability. As Global News first reported, MP Scott Aitchison is expected to announce his resignation from Parliament as early as Wednesday. A source close to Aitchison, cited by Global News, indicated that the Parry Sound–Muskoka representative informed leader Pierre Poilievre of his decision a week ago.
The source told Global News that after three decades as an elected official, Aitchison believes it is time to pursue other opportunities. Aitchison is slated to be the eighth MP to leave Poilievre’s ranks since the 2025 election. According to Global News, the attrition since spring 2025 includes four MPs defecting to Mark Carney’s Liberals, one moving to the Senate as an independent, and three—including Aitchison—exiting politics entirely. This will leave the House of Commons with seven vacant seats.
Aitchison, 53, was viewed as a centrist within the caucus and served as the party's housing critic. In June, he and deputy leader Melissa Lantsman led a fundraiser for LGBTQ+ refugees, telling The Canadian Press that everyone deserves to feel safe and secure.
As a columnist focused on accountability, I find the frequency of these departures troubling. Whether these exits result from ideological friction or leadership failures under Poilievre, the cumulative effect of eight departures suggests a deeper instability. The facade of a unified caucus is cracking.