Nova Scotia Member of Parliament Chris d’Entremont announced his resignation from the Conservative caucus on Tuesday, opting to align with the Liberal Party. In a statement released by the Liberals, d’Entremont cited extensive consultations with constituents as the basis for his decision. He emphasized a more promising direction for both the country and the Acadie-Annapolis region.
Having narrowly secured victory in his rural Nova Scotia constituency during the recent federal election, d’Entremont praised Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new budget for reflecting the key priorities voiced by his constituents, focusing on bolstering community infrastructure and fostering economic growth. This alignment led him to join the government caucus.
A seasoned Conservative figure with a background in provincial politics before his 2019 election to the House of Commons, d’Entremont stressed the importance of leading with optimism amidst Canada’s challenges, indirectly referencing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s approach. His defection brings the Liberals close to a parliamentary majority, holding 170 seats.
Mark Gerretsen, the Liberal whip, welcomed d’Entremont’s move, highlighting the party’s inclusive nature as a “big tent.” Gerretsen attributed d’Entremont’s departure from the Conservatives to the party’s perceived shift towards a more right-wing stance under Poilievre, noting d’Entremont’s Progressive Conservative leanings.
Reacting to d’Entremont’s decision, Rob Batherson, a former president of the federal Conservatives from Nova Scotia, expressed deep disappointment, labeling it a significant personal betrayal in his decades-long political career. Conservative leaders, including Melissa Lantsman and Aaron Gunn, criticized d’Entremont for allegedly abandoning his constituents and core responsibilities.
In contrast, Conservative MP Dominique Vien voiced surprise and disappointment at d’Entremont’s departure, underscoring the mixed reactions within the Conservative ranks to his defection.