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Poilievre Aide Aaron Wudrick Leaves for Private Sector

Conservative deputy chief of staff Aaron Wudrick departs Pierre Poilievre's office after 2.5 years of service.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Elections

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Conservative deputy chief of staff Aaron Wudrick is leaving Pierre Poilievre's office for the private sector, effective November 27, after 2.5 years of service. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Conservative deputy chief of staff Aaron Wudrick is leaving for the private sector, with his exit taking effect November 27. Wudrick announced his departure in a letter to colleagues and Conservative MPs, and it was first reported by the Toronto Star.

Why it matters

Wudrick's exit adds to a series of departures from Pierre Poilievre's office this year, following the loss of longtime chief of staff Ian Todd and former communications director Katy Merrifield. The changes come as the Conservatives have lost four MPs to the Liberals, giving Mark Carney's party a majority government.

Wudrick served 2.5 years in Poilievre's office, first as director of policy and then as deputy chief of staff. Four Conservative MPs have crossed the floor to the Liberals, giving Carney a majority, while his new employer remains unannounced.

The players

Pierre Poilievre

Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and a longtime federal MP who has been a prominent figure in Canadian federal politics.

Aaron Wudrick

Conservative deputy chief of staff who previously served as director of policy in Poilievre's office.

Mark Carney

Prime minister of Canada who won the Liberal leadership and went on to lead a government that gained a majority after Conservative MPs crossed the floor.

The details

Wudrick joined Poilievre's office when the Conservative leader appeared on the verge of forming government. He remains confident that Poilievre becoming prime minister in the next election is achievable.

Timeline

  1. Late 2024: Mark Carney won the Liberal leadership and then a minority government.

  2. Earlier this year: Ian Todd and Katy Merrifield departed Poilievre's office.

  3. September: Larry Brock resigned as MP for Brantford-Brant South.

  4. November 27: Aaron Wudrick's departure takes effect.

  5. December 7: Byelections are scheduled in Brantford-Brant South and five other ridings.

Political Context

The departures come after Mark Carney's Liberals rose from minority to majority status through floor crossings, a shift that leaves the Conservative opposition reorganizing its staff and caucus. Opposition figures have framed the defections as a test of Poilievre's ability to hold his team together ahead of the next election.

The byelections on December 7 will determine who represents six ridings in the House of Commons, directly affecting local representation for voters in those areas. The Liberal majority created by floor crossings means government legislation faces fewer obstacles in the House.

The takeaway

Staff turnover in opposition offices often signals shifting strategy ahead of an election. Readers following Canadian politics can track the December 7 byelections to see how the balance of seats changes.

What happens next

Byelections will be held December 7 in Brantford-Brant South and five other ridings.

Further reading

For more on the byelections and the shifting party balance, see Elections coverage across Canada.

Source note: This article includes information reported by CTVNews.

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