Chris d’Entremont, a Member of Parliament representing Nova Scotia, has tendered his resignation from the Conservative caucus and is making a move to join the Liberal Party.
In a statement released by the Liberal Party, d’Entremont explained that his decision to depart from the Conservatives followed careful deliberation and discussions with his constituents.
He expressed his belief that there is a more promising direction for the country and the Acadie-Annapolis region, stating, “I came to a clear conclusion: there is a better path forward for our country — and a better path forward for Acadie-Annapolis.”
d’Entremont narrowly secured victory in the rural Nova Scotia riding, edging out his Liberal rival by a slim margin in the recent federal election.
Referring to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s proposed budget, d’Entremont emphasized that it aligns with the key priorities voiced by his constituents, focusing on bolstering community infrastructure and fostering economic growth. This alignment led him to the decision to join the government caucus.
Having a background as a long-serving Conservative in provincial politics before his federal election in 2019, d’Entremont stressed the necessity for proactive leadership in addressing Canada’s challenges, advocating for a future-oriented approach over mere criticism, implicitly directed at Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
With this impending switch in allegiance, the Liberal Party is set to hold 170 seats, just two shy of a majority in the House of Commons.
d’Entremont’s move reduces the reliance of the minority Liberal government on opposition support for passing the budget through the legislative process.
‘Big tent’ Liberals
Mark Gerretsen, the Liberal whip, characterized his party as inclusive, stating that there is always room for individuals seeking to align with their policies under the Liberal umbrella.
Gerretsen attributed d’Entremont’s departure from the Conservatives to the perceived rightward shift of the party under Poilievre, emphasizing that d’Entremont’s principles align more closely with the Progressive Conservative ideology.
Reacting to d’Entremont’s departure, Rob Batherson, a former president of the federal Conservatives from Nova Scotia, expressed deep disappointment, considering it a significant personal betrayal in his decades-long political experience.
On the other hand, Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman criticized d’Entremont for allegedly abandoning his constituents’ interests by switching parties, accusing him of shirking his responsibility to tackle issues like inflation and rising grocery prices.
Conservative MP Aaron Gunn went further, bluntly labeling d’Entremont as a “coward” in response to the news.
Another Conservative MP, Dominique Vien, conveyed surprise and disappointment at d’Entremont’s decision to leave the party.