Ontario Conservative MP Larry Brock set to resign in September

Conservative Larry Brock is resigning as the MP for the Ontario riding of Brantford-Brant South-Six Nations and returning to work in the justice system.

Mr. Brock confirmed his decision to leave elected politics in a statement posted to social media late Thursday night.

His departure had been reported by The Globe and Mail earlier Thursday, citing sources.

Mr. Brock, who was first elected in 2021, had been the Conservatives’ justice critic until June.

He said in his statement that he had accepted a role with the Brantford Crown Attorney’s office.

“My commitment to community safety hasn’t wavered one bit and getting back into the courtroom means I can keep being tough on crime, making sure real justice happens here at home,” he said.

His departure is another twist in the road for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, whose caucus is becoming increasingly restive in the face of dismal polling numbers, a drop in fundraising and public spats within the conservative movement about the party’s future.

Discussions about Mr. Brock’s departure had been happening internally at the Conservative Party for days, two sources told The Globe and Mail.

A third told The Globe that Mr. Brock was convening a meeting of his riding association Thursday night to inform them of his decision.

The Globe is not naming the sources as they were not authorized to publicly discuss Mr. Brock’s decision. The MP did not return calls from The Globe.

In his statement, Mr. Brock said his resignation is effective Sept. 18. The House of Commons returns from its summer hiatus on Sept. 21.

He expressed his support for Mr. Poilievre and his caucus mates.

“They are truly a government in waiting, with Pierre Poilievre as Canada’s next prime minister,” he said.

Mr. Brock had stepped down as justice critic earlier this summer, citing personal reasons.

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In his own statement Thursday night, Mr. Poilievre wished him well.

“Thank you, Larry, for fighting to end Liberal bail, to lock up criminals, to restore safe streets and to support victims; and for your tireless work for the people of Brantford–Brant South–Six Nations,” he said on social media.

“My ardent wish is for you and your family to have all the success and happiness in the world. God bless, my friend.”

Mr. Brock won his riding in the last election with 52 per cent of the vote; in the 2021 election, the riding nearly split three ways between the Tories, the Liberals and the NDP. But, in the latest campaign, the NDP vote collapsed there.

The riding is currently listed as “leaning” Conservative on 338Canada.ca, a poll aggregation and modelling website.

Mr. Brock will be the seventh MP to leave Mr. Poilievre’s caucus since the 2025 election.

Four have crossed the floor to the Liberals.

A fifth, Saskatchewan MP Cathay Wagantall, had said last year she wasn’t going to run again but would serve out her term, then instead announced she would step down on Aug. 31.

A sixth, Quebec’s Richard Martel, was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Mark Carney. A by-election for his former riding of Chicoutimi–Le Fjord is scheduled for the end of August.

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Taking questions from reporters Thursday after touring an aluminum facility in that area, Mr. Carney said the Liberals’ choice of former dairy producer Daniel Gobeil to run in the riding shows the government is “loyal” to supply management.

The United States has cited Canada’s supply management as a key irritant in trade negotiations.

Mr. Poilievre visited the riding earlier this week.