Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont left the Conservative caucus on Tuesday and joined the Liberals, moving Prime Minister Mark Carney one seat closer to a majority that would secure his mandate until 2029.
“After serious consideration and thoughtful conversations with constituents and my family, I came to a clear conclusion: there is a better path forward for our country,” d’Entremont said in a statement. “Prime Minister Mark Carney is offering that path.”
If two more Conservative MPs follow, a Liberal majority would be in place.
Earlier Tuesday, d’Entremont told POLITICO he was thinking about crossing the floor and would decide “in the next few days” after reviewing the federal budget. Shortly after the story was published, he resigned from the Conservative caucus and joined the Liberal Party.
“After five years of serving in opposition, the people of Acadie-Annapolis and all Canadians know that the moment we face today needs all of us to lead — not with complaint, but with confidence in a strong future,” he said. “This is an important moment for the country to come together, and I am looking forward to working with the Prime Minister to build the strong economic future that all our communities deserve.”
D’Entremont pointed to his 1.1% margin of victory over the Liberal candidate in the last election and framed the move as serving constituents in Acadie-Annapolis. He recently clashed with his party after the Conservative caucus declined to back his bid for Speaker of the House. He previously served as Deputy Speaker.
Carney’s first federal budget pledges “generational investments” and is up for a confidence vote in the House of Commons. When the Budget 2025 was tabled and read in the House, he did not sit with the Conservatives and walked out carrying the budget.
Conservative Party Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman said, “Chris made a decision, and he made a decision not to fight inflation and not to lower the cost of food and not to do any of the things that he was sent here to do by his constituents.”
Government whip Mark Gerretsen said more additions are welcome. “We always have seats on our side for anybody that wants to join our party. We’re a big tent party,” he said, adding, “The reality is, what we’re seeing in the Conservative political party is that that progressive movement is dead. Chris d’Entremont is a progressive conservative and he’s looking for a new home.”
Inside the Conservative Party, Leader Pierre Poilievre has faced pushback from moderates after calling past RCMP leadership “despicable,” remarks he later walked back. A leadership review is scheduled for January, adding pressure as moderates weigh their future.
Information for this briefing was found via Politico and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
