Amid anemic poll numbers and messy public infighting, some Conservatives worry that fundraising numbers are also taking a hit as Pierre Poilievre struggles to keep his party together.
The Conservatives have long maintained a fundraising advantage over the Liberal Party, while in government and on the opposition benches. That edge is a point of pride for the Conservative Party, which often cites it as proof of the party’s broad appeal, even in the face of poor national polling numbers.
But with Q2 fundraising results expected to be publicly released this month, multiple sources tell Global News that behind the scenes, there’s concern about the results.
A Global News analysis of fundraising data filed to Elections Canada suggests that in the first six months of 2026, Poilievre personally attended seven party fundraisers. Over the same period in 2024, when the Conservatives were riding high in the polls, he attended 27.
“(Poilievre’s team) is worried about the fundraising right now. They’re worried about it because if it’s going as bad as it seems … one, it’s a bad image, he’s under siege right now, and two, they need the money,” said one long-standing Conservative insider.
The source spoke on the condition that they not be named to speak frankly about internal party dynamics. Global News spoke to seven other longtime Conservatives for this story, including multiple sources in Poilievre’s orbit.
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A senior Conservative source close to Poilievre downplayed the concerns and said they expect a “strong” showing when the numbers are made public at the end of the month — although they acknowledged that it’s harder to pull donations while the Liberals have a majority and a snap election is unlikely.
Asked if it was a problem for Poilievre that those dissatisfied elements were speaking to reporters, the source said, “It’s just part of the game.”
“I’d like to think that there’s a real, genuine desire (on their part) to see us do better, but I don’t know their motives,” the source said.
“Would I prefer to just be able to just talk about all the things we’re doing to get ready for an eventual campaign and hold the Liberals to account? Of course. But this is what it is, it’s just part of it.”
Sarah Fischer, the Conservatives communications director, noted that the Conservatives raised $9.4 million in the first quarter of 2026 from 40,410 individual Canadians — their “second-best non-election, first-quarter fundraising result on record.”
In a statement to Global News, Fischer explained the party continued “to see strong fundraising performance in Q2.”
“Pierre Poilievre has been focused on holding Mark Carney to account and fighting to make life more affordable for Canadians throughout this parliamentary session.”
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Multiple sources described a disheartened party, doubtful Poilievre can win the next election after his precipitous fall from 2024’s prime minister-in-waiting to Opposition leader under another Liberal majority
Poilievre’s critics within the movement would like to see him step down of his own volition, or the Conservative caucus to make him go — as they did with their previous leader, Erin O’Toole. Neither scenario seems likely, with Poilievre vowing to fight on, and a considerable number of MPs remaining in his camp.
While he’s at the helm, however, internal party squabbles are making their way into the public eye. Anthony Koch, a Conservative commentator who worked for Poilievre’s leadership campaign, recently penned an op-ed in the National Post taking aim at the always-online Conservative activist set.
“The Canadian right, meanwhile, has cultivated an entire class of commentators and activists who seem almost offended by the idea of broad public appeal,” Koch wrote.
“They sneer at persuasion, they mock professionalism, and they dismiss anyone who accurately describes the state of play as insufficiently conservative.”
Poilievre himself recently drew criticism for suggesting that longtime party stalwarts were insufficiently Conservative. Earlier this month in Calgary, Poilievre congratulated Kerry-Lynn Findlay on her victory over “Liberal lobbyists from out east” in the B.C. Conservative leadership contest.
The shot was widely interpreted as directed at Kory Teneycke, a Conservative strategist and Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s campaign manager, who has been publicly critical of Poilievre and his team.
“I think somebody needs to do a wellness check on Pierre Poilievre,” Teneycke shot back on the Curse of Politics podcast Monday.
“It makes no sense to me … (for him) to be going around the country picking fights with conservatives.”
Liberal Canada is killing itself good riddens I’ll stay in China.
Why are there so many freekin’ TV commercials by the Federal Government telling people how great they are?
The Conservatives will win a majority next election as Canadians come to the realization that they were again duped by the incompetent Liberal Party.
Carney’s support will be significantly less this time next years as all of his failures begin to come to light
We don’t even need a second party in Canada ! 11 years of liberals and Canada is thriving ….housing is cheap, diversity is amazing (when I’m not getting gang banged ), fuel & food cheap, education is amazing & health care is thriving .
Liberal 4 life and elbows way up to allow them in my pockets and rectum.
There is doubt in my mind that this is just another Liberal smear campaign looking to deflect from the incompetence that’s followed the Liberals for the last 11 years.
Let’s face the facts if anyone thinks their standard of living has improved during the Liberals term their delusional not only did they drop but Canada is on the verge of third world status.
the source says poilievre is working to make life more affordable for canadians, but i have seen no realistic plans he has to do that. Cutting taxes means that he will be gutting services to pay for it. Saying he will build houses is ridiculous, given the federal government isnt involved in building houses; that’s a municipal task. Putting more criminals in jail will cost more taxpayer money, that will again be taken from services he will cut. Exactly how is he intending to pay for all of this? By gutting social services he deems “handouts” or “special interests”. Most Canadians aren’t fooled by this.
@Anonymous Respectfully, it depends on which poll you are looking at. I tend to look at Nanos. The NDP voters are IMHO in flux, and are highly susceptible to switching based on what Trump says and Carney’s response thereto.
Actually the latest polls show the Liberal lead over the Conservatives is cut in half from May with many NDP voters leaving the Liberal tent and returning to their own party. The Conservative poll has increased slightly tightening the race between the Liberals and Conservatives with younger voters supporting the Conservatives and the boomers staying with the Liberals … for now.
How about doing an article about Carney and the Liberal party fund raising and infighting because it’s happening in both parties. If the press spent half the time holding the government to account that they give to the Conservatives maybe people would have more faith in the Canadian media. It’s all propaganda, smoke and mirrors call a general election and let the people decide one way or the other. Maybe Carney and the Liberals are scared to hold an election all they have is bad mouthing the opposition hoping something will stick. They cannot hide the fact that the Liberals have been in power over 11 years and Canadians standard of living has gone down drastically and that’s a fact they cannot hide
right and we are worried that turkeys are going to be wiped out get real global or get lost
Ron, pull your head out. No one likes Pollievre except his most ardent supporters, and those are the only people he knows how to talk to. He has been a politician for his entire career without a single significant legislative victory. He is the definition of an empty suit, and we all see through it no matter how many rhinestones he bedazzles that suit with.
According to 338 Canada, the conservatives are dropping and the Liberals remain at the same place. Many other polls indicate Poilievre’s approval is at sub basement levels.
What??? Carney is drop in the polls. Carney is adopting Conservative policies like dropping the consumer carbon tax, reducing the size of the Federal Government. Possibly building a pipeline. Pierre is exposing corruption like Carney’s BC condo fiasco. Pierre is on a roll and gaining popularity every day.
His riding doesn’t elect him. Doesn’t that tell you enough? Yet, you MAGAs decide to keep him on. Head scratcher there? Idiots.
It’s unfortunate for the conservatives. Most of the liberals in this country have brain damage so they don’t know whats good for them.
Carney got size 18 bright red clown shoes
My butthole starts to quiver when I think of PP deep inside
PP needs a job, something other than the paper route he had before politics,
Just remember kids its way easier to criticize than to lead
Remember when the all of the media wrote articles bashing Trudeau by the day and Poilievre was riding high in the polls. Then there was not a peep from conservatives about biased media. And some of them-thankfully not most-call other posters names when they disagree, trying to stifle debate and opinions different than theirs.
I’m not sure about the rest of you but I’m a L I b t a r d till I die, when global make up story lines like this it makes me so moist all I can think about is Carney.
Poilievre needs to follow in the steps of Trudeau and leave.
Wow! More Liberal bought and paid for propaganda. Living in Canada is like living in Russia now. The actual polls show the race tightening as people realize Carney is just another corrupt Liberal elitist. As for the Conservative Party. Were fine. There are a couple red Tories but we k ow who they are.
Poilievre is the best choice. Global News spread a lot of lies.
PP needs to step down but he’s too stubborn and stupid to see that his time is up. I mean the guy couldn’t even win his own riding! In the meantime, he’s dragging the party down with him. The Tories need to oust him. We need leaders who will bring Canadian politics back to the centre where it belongs, and who will unite folks, instead of fighting with, and criticizing everyone constantly.
Poli larvae is a political hack lifer who dropped out of U of Calgary BA program. He never earned an honest paycheque in his life. Dump the Bum!
Even as a conservative I want PP gone. He is too far right, a Political lifer and a loser who couldn’t even win in his own riding.
Just a big mouth debater.
Find some competent right of center professional who can counter Carney.
Global News sources are all LIB NDP Clowns
Lmao