Conservatives fear fundraising slump amid sagging polls, infighting

Concerns are mounting within the Conservative Party about a potential decline in fundraising, a traditional area of strength, amid sagging poll numbers and public infighting. The party has long prided itself on its fundraising advantage over the Liberal Party, often using it as evidence of broad appeal even when national polls are unfavorable.

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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.

However, with second-quarter fundraising results due this month, multiple sources indicate that internal anxiety is growing. A Global News analysis of Elections Canada data reveals that Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre attended significantly fewer party fundraisers in the first six months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2024, when the party was polling strongly. He attended seven fundraisers this year, down from 27 two years ago.

"(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 who spoke on condition of anonymity.

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It’s just part of the game.

Despite these internal worries, a senior Conservative source close to Poilievre downplayed the concerns, expecting a "strong" showing when the numbers are released. This source acknowledged, however, that fundraising is more challenging with the Liberals holding a majority and a snap election being unlikely. The source also commented that internal dissent is "just part of the game."

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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.

Sarah Fischer, the Conservatives' communications director, stated that the party raised $9.4 million in the first quarter of 2026 from over 40,000 individual Canadians, calling it their "second-best non-election, first-quarter fundraising result on record." Fischer added that the party continued to see strong fundraising performance in Q2 and that Poilievre remains focused on holding the Liberals accountable and advocating for affordability.

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Pierre Poilievre has been focused on holding Mark Carney to account and fighting to make life more affordable for Canadians throughout this parliamentary session.