Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks to workers at Integrity Tool and Mold in Oldcastle, Ont., on Oct. 24. Photo by Taylor Campbell /Windsor StarArticle contentProspects for the next election are viewed very differently by the various players.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe New Democratic Party is in disarray. Having been reduced from 25 to 7 seats in the 2025 election, it has little clout.Article contentArticle contentYes, it could have triggered another election by voting differently Monday, but they are not in a position to go to the polls. Finances are weak and the party is not scheduled to choose its next leader until March.Article contentArticle contentNova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont has a well-seasoned and discerning insight into the meanderings of political preference. His margin over Liberal Ronnie LeBlanc in the 2025 federal election was a mere 1.1 percentage points, down from a 19-point margin over Alxys Chamberlain in 2021.Article contentOver the years, he has been able to work with colleagues to the right of him but he is not a fan of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s style. He will have been pessimistic of his prospects of being re-elected. He is not alone.Article contentIt was not a complete surprise when he walked across the floor to the Liberals. The only disappointed Liberal may be Ronnie LeBlanc.Article content Bill Black says it wasn’t a complete surprise when Chris d’Entremont crossed the floor to join the Liberals. Photo by Ryan Taplin /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentMP Matt Jeneroux of Edmonton chose to resign in a gracious statement, which was commendably non-partisan.Article contentConservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has done a great service to Canada. He harped relentlessly on the inequities of the carbon tax. That and voters being tired of Justin Trudeau for other reasons earned Poilievre a large lead in the polls.Article contentArticle contentThe Liberal caucus finally got the message. Led by former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, the caucus pushed Trudeau out of office. Unfortunately for Poilievre, the replacement was the highly credible Mark Carney, who was able to distance himself from Trudeau and quickly dropped the carbon tax.Article contentArticle contentThe Liberals won the succeeding election, just three seats short of a majority.Article contentOn Monday, the Liberal budget barely passed. Two NDP MPs and two Conservative MPs abstained from voting. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May voted yes.Article contentIt is possible that the opposition could trigger an election by defeating one of the bills implementing the budget. But it is unlikely that any of the parties will change their position.Article contentThat leaves Poilievre to prepare for his leadership review in January. His proven strength is as a critic of the Liberals. But his prospects in the polls are bad and getting worse. An early November poll by the Angus Reid Institute had Mark Carney at 52 per cent approval against 39 per cent disapproval, for a net rating of +13. Poilievre had just 34 per cent positive, compared to 60 per cent who view him unfavourably.
Bill Black: The Conservatives need a wider tent
