Maverick Party deregistered by Elections Canada

The Maverick Party has been officially deregistered as a federal political party as of February 28, according to a statement from leader Colin Krieger.

The party, which advocated for Western Canadian interests, cited financial burdens and shifting political dynamics as key reasons for its deregistration.

“We received notice at the end of January, and after many calls and clarifications, the decision was final at their end,” Krieger said.

He pointed to growing bureaucracy and red tape from Elections Canada, including mandatory audited financial filings costing up to $15,000 annually.

The party had missed a December 3 filing deadline and initially believed it had an extension until the end of February, but the misunderstanding led to deregistration.

Krieger acknowledged the changing political landscape in Canada, where much of the focus has been on defeating Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government.

He noted that even Maverick Party supporters recognize that this will only be achieved by Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives, making it harder for Maverick’s message to gain traction.

The party has seen a decline in active electoral district associations and membership. While the deregistration marks a pause for the movement, Krieger suggested the Maverick Party could return if Poilievre fails to represent Western Canada and shifts focus to Eastern voters.

“For now, we will need to take a pause, regroup, and see what happens in the 2025 election that we expect to happen this April,” Krieger said, adding that even if the party remained registered, it lacked the resources to run candidates effectively.

Krieger, who has led the party for the past two years, called it an honor to serve in the role.