Prime Minister Mark Carney said it was “exceptionally valuable” for former Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont to cross the aisle and join the Liberal Party as the federal government tabled its budget.
Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont resigned from the Conservative caucus to join the Liberals Tuesday, and became the first member of Parliament to cross the floor since the April election.
“I would especially like to thank Chris d’Entremont, the member of Parliament for Acadie-Annapolis — I’m honored to welcome him as the newest member of our government caucus,” said Carney speaking in Ottawa Wednesday.
“Chris’s decision to join the government caucus at this crucial moment for our country is exceptionally valuable and important. “
The comments came at the start of Carney’s press conference to promote the budget tabled Tuesday.
Carney’s government is a minority, and fell just short of winning a majority government in the April election. They require the support of at least one other party in the House of Commons to pass legislation, but d’Entremont’s floor-crossing raises the question of whether Liberals could be inching toward majority territory if the decision spurs other MPs to consider crossing the floor as well.
A majority government is 172 or more seats in the House of Commons.
The Liberals now hold 170 seats.
D’Entremont followed Carney in speaking to reporters Wednesday, and was asked what led to his decision to cross the aisle.
“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,” said d’Entremont.
“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.”
D’Entremont also suggested more MPs may share his opinions, saying that “there probably are those that are in the same boat.”
The Conservative Party said in a statement Tuesday night that it’s “disappointed” in d’Entremont for his decision to support the Liberals.
“Conservatives don’t see how Chris d’Entremont can possibly vote for the Liberal budget after running to make life more affordable for Canadians,” said the Conservative Party in its statement.
“Conservatives are disappointed he let his own grievances of not getting elected Deputy Speaker get in the way of his promises.”
Although he served as deputy Speaker of the House of Commons from 2021 through to the April election, d’Entremont failed to win over support from the Conservative caucus in his bid to become House Speaker in the spring.
Conservative MP Jasraj Singh Hallan spoke Wednesday morning to reporters as he arrived for a caucus meeting on Parliament Hill and referred to d’Entremont as a “coward” for his decision.
D’Entremont was asked by reporters about these comments by his former caucus peers.
“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,” d’Entremont said.
He went on to say: “We have a great opportunity here in Canada and rather than knocking people down, we should try to find ways to work together and that’s what I’ve always tried to do in my career.”
D’Entremont said in a statement Tuesday that his decision to join the Liberals was because the budget was well-aligned with his riding priorities.
“(The budget) hits the priorities I have heard most in my riding, to build strong community infrastructure and grow a stronger economy,” said d’Entremont.
“That is why I am joining the Government caucus.”
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