Scott Aitchison, a Conservative MP from Ontario and former mayor of Huntsville, announced his intention to resign his seat at the end of the fall parliamentary session after 30 years in public service. In a social media post, Aitchison thanked his constituents and staff for their support during his tenure, highlighting his work on housing affordability among other initiatives. His departure adds to several recent resignations within the House of Commons, where six seats are currently vacant.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-02,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Scott Aitchison, a Conservative MP for Parry Sound—Muskoka in Ontario since 2019, is expected to resign his seat by the end of the fall parliamentary sitting this year. Sources indicate that Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative party, was informed last week about Aitchison's intention to leave. Aitchison had previously run for the party leadership in 2022 but finished fifth.
Aitchison's resignation will bring the total number of Conservative MPs leaving since the start of this year to eight and add another vacant seat to the House of Commons, where six seats are already empty. The riding he represents was considered a relatively safe Conservative seat; however, current polling suggests it could flip to Liberal control if there were an immediate by-election.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns within the party about its public image and declining popularity since Poilievre's leadership took over in 2025.
Written for “Scott Aitchison Resignation” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 5 other(s) covering the same event.
Conservative MP Scott Aitchison officially signals his intent to resign later this fall
Ontario MP and former mayor made bid for Conservative leadership in 2022
Ontario MP and former Conservative leadership candidate Scott Aitchison said Wednesday that he intends to resign his seat at the end of the fall sitting.
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he → signal → sitting
"After 30 years of public life, it is time for a new chapter where I will explore new opportunities," Aitchison wrote in a social media post.
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Aitchison → explore → post
Aitchison — a former mayor of Huntsville, Ont., who has been MP for the Parry Sound–Muskoka riding since 2019 — didn't indicate what his next steps will be.
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steps → indicate → 2019
But he reflected on his time in public office and thanked his constituents and staff.
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he → reflect → constituents
"I worked to build consensus, cut through the bureaucracy, and make life better for the people who placed their trust in me," he wrote.
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he → work → me
"I carried myself with the same values of the town that raised me: respect, decency, and looking out for your neighbour."
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that → carry → neighbour
CBC News reported Tuesday that Aitchison had intended to step down this fall.
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Aitchison → report → ?
CTV News first confirmed the news of his departure.
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News → confirm → departure
Aitchson launched a leadership bid in the 2022 Conservative campaign that saw Pierre Poilievre chosen as the party's chief, where he finished fifth.
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he → launch → chief
Housing was a key feature of Aitchison's leadership campaign and Poilievre named the MP as his housing critic — something he reflected on in his statement.
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he → name → statement
"All levels of government have recognized the burden over-regulation and excessive taxes and fees place on housing affordability.
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regulation → recognize → affordability
Our Conservative team can be proud of the work we have done on this file and I know the team will continue this work after my departure," he wrote.
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he → do → departure
"To my caucus colleagues and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, it has been a privilege to serve alongside you.
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it → serve → you
I have been fortunate to meet Canadians from coast to coast who are counting on us to champion efforts to make life more affordable for all Canadians."
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life → meet → Canadians
Poilievre praised Aitchison as "a friend, a dedicated public servant and a man who cares deeply about the people he represents."
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he → praise → people
"Scott Aitchison has spent his life serving the community and country he loves," the Conservative leader wrote in a social media post.
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leader → spend → post
Whether fighting for local workers and businesses, helping people navigate the federal government, or championing a community fund to support housing, food security and mental health in Parry Sound–Muskoka, he never forgot who sent him to Ottawa."
Aitchison's resignation will create another vacancy in the House, where six seats are currently empty.
Aitchison's fellow Conservatives Larry Brock and Cathay Wagantall both stepped down in the past month.
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Conservatives → fight → month
Their vacancies are coupled with former Liberal cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault, who officially resigned last month, and former Liberal MP Shaun Chen, who resigned in mid-August.
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who → couple → August
Former NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice and the Bloc Québécois's Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay both stepped away from federal politics to run in Quebec's upcoming provincial election.
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Tremblay → step → election
While the clock is ticking for those six byelections to be called, Aitchison's seat won't be open until he makes his resignation official at the end of this sitting.
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resignation → tick → sitting
Parliament is scheduled to sit until Dec. 11.
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Parliament → schedule → Dec.
The Aporia
