Conservative exodus continues
Conservative MP Scott Aitchison to resign after fall parliamentary sitting, marking eighth caucus departure
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Key Points
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Before becoming an MP, Aitchison began his municipal career as a Huntsville town councillor in 1994 and later served two terms as the town’s mayor.
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In his farewell message, Aitchison said he had worked to build consensus and improve life for constituents, and described the values he sought to embody as “respect, decency, and looking out for your neighbour.”
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Aitchison’s riding has generally been a Conservative stronghold, but Liberal Andy Mitchell represented it from 1993 to 2006 and later served in Paul Martin’s cabinet.
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When Aitchison leaves, the House of Commons will have seven vacant seats, up from six at the time of Global News’s report.
Conservative MP Scott Aitchison will resign from his Parry Sound–Muskoka seat after the fall parliamentary sitting, ending a 30-year career in public service Global News. The former Huntsville mayor, first elected in 2019, served as the Conservatives' housing critic and ran for party leader in 2022, finishing behind Pierre Poilievre.
Aitchison's departure marks the eighth Conservative MP to leave the caucus since the 2025 election Yahoo News, adding to mounting departures amid several defections to the Liberals. His exit will bring the House of Commons vacant seats to seven.
Three Decades in Municipal and Federal Politics
Aitchison began his public service journey in 1994 as a Huntsville town councillor Global News. He later served two terms as Huntsville's mayor before entering federal politics in 2019. Poilievre praised him as a dedicated public servant who worked to improve life for his constituents.
In his farewell message, Aitchison emphasized the values that guided his career. He described what he sought to embody as "respect, decency, and looking out for your neighbour" Epoch Times, underscoring his focus on consensus-building and community service.
A Contested Riding With Liberal Roots
Parry Sound–Muskoka has generally been a Conservative stronghold, but it was not always the case Global News. Liberal Andy Mitchell represented the riding from 1993 to 2006 and later served in Paul Martin's cabinet, showing the seat can swing between parties.
Growing Exodus From Poilievre's Conservative Caucus
Aitchison's resignation is the latest in a series of departures that have weakened Conservative numbers in Parliament Edmonton Sun. Since the 2025 election, eight MPs have left the caucus through defections to the Liberals and other exits from the House of Commons.
Aitchison did not specify his next steps, only stating he seeks "new opportunities" Epoch Times. His departure will add pressure on Poilievre as he manages the party's parliamentary presence amid internal losses.
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