Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is losing his third senior aide in under a year, with deputy chief of staff Aaron Wudrick announcing he will leave for the private sector effective Nov. 27, CTV News reported.
Wudrick, who spent 2.5 years in Poilievre’s office first as director of policy and then as deputy chief of staff, made the announcement in a letter to colleagues and Conservative MPs obtained by CTV News. The Toronto Star first reported his exit.
Wudrick’s Departure Marks Third Exit Since Early 2026
Wudrick’s resignation follows the departures earlier this year of Poilievre’s longtime chief of staff, Ian Todd, and director of communications Katy Merrifield, bringing the total of senior staff exits to three within 12 months.
In his letter, Wudrick wrote: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve our leader and this team for the last 2.5 years, first as director of policy and then as deputy chief of staff.” He added that he remains “fully confident that this goal remains achievable in the next election” of making Poilievre prime minister.
Party Struggles in Polls After Floor Crossings
The staff turnover comes as Poilievre’s Conservatives flounder in the polls following Mark Carney’s Liberal minority government victory. Since that election, four Conservative MPs have crossed the floor to join the Liberals, helping hand Carney a majority government, while a fifth left the House of Commons to take a Senate appointment.
Wudrick joined Poilievre’s office when the Conservative leader appeared on the verge of forming government, with then-prime minister Justin Trudeau deeply unpopular and Poilievre tying the Liberals to affordability challenges. That momentum shifted after Donald Trump’s election as U.S. president, Chrystia Freeland’s resignation from cabinet, Trudeau’s resignation, and Carney’s subsequent Liberal leadership win and minority government victory.
December 7 Byelection Tests Conservative Fortunes
The party now faces a byelection on Dec. 7 in the Ontario riding of Brantford—Brant South, vacated when Conservative MP Larry Brock resigned in September. The prime minister called that vote along with elections in five other ridings.
Senior Staff Departments Trigger Leadership Shifts
Wudrick’s exit is effective Nov. 27, according to the letter obtained by CTV News.
Chief of staff Ian Todd and communications director Katy Merrifield both departed earlier this year, making Wudrick the third senior aide to leave in under a year.
The vote in Brantford—Brant South, plus five other ridings, comes as the Conservatives watch whether they can hold a seat after four MPs crossed to the Liberals and one joined the Senate, giving Mark Carney a majority government.