Poilievre set to shuffle Conservative Opposition critics: sources

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is set to announce a shuffling of his critic roles and front bench, according to Conservative sources, as he looks to adapt his messaging to Prime Minister Mark Carney's majority government.

The shuffle comes almost three months after Opposition MPs with critic roles — which the party prefers to call shadow cabinet — received a letter from the leader's office asking them to provide examples of the work they've done, and whether they're interested in remaining in their positions.

Sources say some MPs have received calls about either keeping or changing their role. It's not clear at this point whether the entire critic roster has been notified.

CBC News is not identifying the sources because they are not authorized to speak publicly about internal matters.

Unlike federal cabinet positions, the critic roles don't come with pay bumps. But the roles are coveted because they typically lead to more time in question period grilling Liberal counterparts and more media appearances — and signify seniority and trust from the leader.

The current shadow cabinet has 73 members, representing more than half of the Conservative caucus.

A shift in the lineup would signal the kind of tone Poilievre wants his party to embody. Sources say his new critics could include more MPs elected in 2025.

It also comes after four Conservative MPs crossed the floor to the Liberal Party since Carney's general election win.

One MP expected to change roles is Wellington-Halton Hills North MP Michael Chong. He has long held the foreign affairs critic role but a source confirms he will be taking on a new set of responsibilities.

Chong travelled last month to Taiwan in defiance of warnings from Chinese authorities. In 2023, Canada expelled a Chinese diplomat in 2023 for targeting Chong's family.

Conservative sources suggest several other key portfolios involving economic issues could also be up for a change.

Poilievre's team is making their move before Carney shuffles his own cabinet. That move has been long awaited on Parliament Hill, but the prospect of a series of byelections this summer could give the prime minister fresh faces to consider.

The Conservative shuffle is expected to be announced sometime this week.