Floor-crossing MP hints that more Conservatives might follow him to the Liberals

OTTAWA — The Liberals’ newest addition to caucus, Chris d’Entremont, said on Wednesday that he was not “aligned” with his former leader Pierre Poilievre’s political ideals and hinted that other Conservatives may be following his example.

The Nova Scotia MP appeared at Prime Minister Mark Carney’s side during a press conference in Ottawa, the morning after his surprise decision to leave the Conservative caucus and cross the floor to join the minority Liberals just hours after the tabling of their budget.

“I’m honoured to welcome him as the newest member of our government caucus,” said Carney. “Chris’s decision to join the government caucus at this crucial moment for our country is exceptionally valuable and important.”

The minority Liberals are just two seats away from a majority which could guarantee the passage of their budget without the help of opposition parties.

Speaking to reporters, d’Entremont said he has been mulling over this decision to leave Poilievre’s Conservatives for a long time.

“Over the last number of months, I wasn’t feeling that I was aligned with the ideals of what the leader of the opposition had been talking about. So, I’ve been sort of relooking at what my career is bringing, and what I can do for my constituency,” he said.

D’Entremont said he held many conversations with his “friends” in the Liberal benches — relationships he formed when he was Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons — and came to the conclusion that he was better off joining their ranks.

“In my case, as a Nova Scotian, we’re always trying to find ways to work together to solve issues that are important to our communities. And I didn’t see it by sitting in the opposition. I saw it by being a part of the government caucus,” he said.

“It’s time to actually try to lead a country, to try to make it better and not try to knock it down, not to continue to be negative,” he added.

D’Entremont said that other Conservative MPs may be feeling the same way he did.

“I would suggest that there probably are those that are in the same boat, but I will let them tell their stories if that time comes,” he said.

Carney declined to say how many Conservatives his party had approached to join the Liberal ranks.

“We’ll speak to anyone, publicly, or otherwise, that can support us,” he said.

D’Entremont said Poilievre’s leadership style ultimately played a role in his decision.

“I didn’t find I was represented there that my ideals of an Easterner, of a red Tory, quite honestly, of trying to find ways to find solutions and help your community rather than trying to oppose everything that’s happening,” he said.

When asked if he was promised a minister portfolio, he simply said “no.”

Conservative MPs expressed harsh words for d’Entremont heading into their own caucus meeting, as questions swirled from the Liberals’ newest members about whether others from the Tory benches may soon join him.

“He’s an idiot,” said Ontario MP Jamil Jivani. Alberta MP Garnett Genuis told reporters his focus was on opposing the Liberals’ latest budget and questioned how anyone from their side could support it, alluding to d’Entremont by suggesting he had “personal ambitions” around trying to become the House of Commons Speaker.

New Brunswick Conservative MP John Williamson said his former colleague had “turned his back on his voters.”

He also downplayed expectations that other Conservatives may cross the floor, saying, “you very seldom see waves in this business.”

Ontario Conservative MP Michael Barrett said he wasn’t going to wade into discussions in “speculation on rumours” after reciting to reporters a recent speech d’Entremont gave slamming Carney’s spending.

“Here we have, as a Member of Parliament, in Mr. d’Entremont, who said one thing and is now doing another.”

D’Entremont dismissed suggestions that he was sour grapes after the party did not support him in his bid as Speaker of the House of Commons last spring.

“I think they should look at themselves and see if they’re offering the right thing to Canadians of trying to build for the world,” said d’Entremont in response to his former colleagues’ criticism.

For their part, Carney and d’Entremont were greeted by thunderous applause when they entered the Liberals’ caucus meeting on Wednesday morning.

They both shook hands and hugged several MPs as the group began chanting “Chris! Chris! Chris!”

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said she had been trying to convince d’Entremont to join their ranks for at least five years and that he had finally seen “the light.”

Her Liberal colleague Marc Miller mused that the MP was tired of being treated like “crap” by his former party.

Liberals are staying mum — for now — about any efforts behind the scenes to poach some more disgruntled Conservatives.

“I’m becoming used to waking up to surprises every day,” said Government House leader Steven MacKinnon.

At least one Conservative MP from Quebec, Dominique Vien, publicly denied rumours that she could be next to cross the floor.

“I have no intention to leave the Conservative Party of Canada caucus,” she said in French.

— With files from Christopher Nardi and the Canadian Press

National Post
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