OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre received strong backing from his party members on Wednesday following backlash over his recent comments regarding the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). During a weekly caucus meeting, several Conservative MPs publicly expressed their support for Poilievre and the national police force, which he had criticized in a recent interview.

In the interview, Poilievre described the leadership of the RCMP as "despicable," a remark he later clarified was directed at the former commissioner, Brenda Lucki. Ontario MP Michael Barrett, the party's ethics critic, defended Poilievre, stating, "His comments speak for themselves. He offered a precision that I think was very important."

Calgary MP Greg McLean also voiced his support for the RCMP, highlighting personal connections to the force. "I got a lot of friends in the RCMP, and a lot of us, of course, respect the work the RCMP does, particularly in these trying times," he said.

The MPs' support comes amid ongoing criticism of the RCMP's handling of past scandals involving former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, particularly the SNC-Lavalin affair. McLean suggested that there is still room for accountability regarding the previous administration's actions. He stated, "The evidence is quite clear that an investigation remains warranted."

During the 2019 scandal, the RCMP investigated whether Trudeau had pressured former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould to secure a deferred prosecution agreement for SNC-Lavalin. Ultimately, the RCMP did not pursue charges, with Commissioner Mike Duheme testifying that the force could not obtain sufficient evidence due to cabinet confidentiality.

In response to Poilievre's comments, Duheme emphasized that he does not take political orders and encouraged Poilievre to meet with RCMP leadership. Brian Sauve, president of the National Police Federation, stated, "RCMP Members and leadership of the RCMP take their responsibilities seriously and operate with professionalism and integrity."

Poilievre's remarks have drawn criticism from Liberal, NDP, and Green MPs, who have called for an apology. Former staffers of Stephen Harper, the last Conservative prime minister, have also questioned Poilievre's judgment. Dimitri Soudas, a former communications director for Harper, labeled Poilievre's statement as "recklessness."

Concerns about Poilievre's leadership tactics have emerged within his party, especially after the Conservatives lost the spring federal election to Mark Carney. Some party members worry that Poilievre's approach may alienate certain voter demographics, particularly women and older voters. He is set to face a leadership review at the party's convention in Calgary in January 2026.

Despite the criticisms, several MPs expressed their unwavering support for Poilievre. Alberta MP Garnett Genuis stated, "He’s a strong leader, defending men and women in uniform, and I, frankly, will take no lessons from the Liberals on standing up for frontline officers." Ontario MP Andrew Lawton echoed this sentiment, asserting that Poilievre has significant support from both the caucus and the public.

In the interview that sparked the controversy, Poilievre suggested that those involved in the Trudeau-era scandals should face "jail time" and accused the RCMP of covering up the incidents. Following the backlash, his office clarified that his comments were specifically aimed at Lucki and reiterated his support for the RCMP.

On Wednesday, British Columbia MP Todd Doherty affirmed his support for Poilievre, stating, "Of course I support the leader, and he’s going to be an incredible prime minister." Andrew Scheer, a close ally of Poilievre, noted that the party is focused on pressing issues such as U.S. tariffs on softwood lumber and job losses in the auto sector, adding, "My leader’s put out a statement. I don’t have anything else to add."