Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux has announced he is leaving his party to join the Liberal caucus, becoming the third Conservative in recent months to cross the floor and boosting Prime Minister Mark Carney’s position in the House of Commons.
Jeneroux, who represents the Alberta riding of Edmonton Riverbend, confirmed Wednesday that he will continue serving in Parliament alongside the governing Liberals, a move that gives the party increased influence and representation in traditionally Conservative territory.
In a statement, Jeneroux said he intends to work directly with Prime Minister Carney and support the government’s agenda moving forward.
“I will be working with Prime Minister Mark Carney as a part of his new government to help build our country’s strength as we face the challenges ahead,” he wrote.
Jeneroux’s decision follows two other high-profile defections in the last three months. Chris d’Entremont crossed the floor in November, while Michael Ma left the Conservative ranks in December, raising new questions about internal unity within Pierre Poilievre’s party.
Although speculation had circulated earlier that Jeneroux might follow d’Entremont’s lead, he had previously indicated he would resign rather than switch parties. His office had even issued a statement at the time denying that he planned to cross the floor. His latest announcement marks a clear reversal.
Despite these defections, the Liberals still fall short of the 172 seats needed to form a majority government. If Jeneroux formally completes the switch, the Liberals would hold 169 seats compared with the Conservatives’ 141. The Bloc Québécois currently has 22 seats, the NDP holds seven, the Greens have one, and three seats remain vacant.
As a result, Carney’s government will continue operating as a minority, holding more seats than any other party but not enough to govern without support from others in the House.
While Conservative floor-crossers have strengthened Liberal numbers, the party has also experienced setbacks since the last election. Former cabinet minister Bill Blair resigned his seat after being appointed Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom. Former justice minister David Lametti became Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations in November. Chrystia Freeland also stepped away from Parliament to take on an economic advisory role for Ukraine.
Adding further uncertainty, the Supreme Court recently overturned the election result in Terrebonne, Quebec, where Liberal MP Tatiana Auguste had won by a single vote. That riding will now head to a byelection.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre reacted strongly, accusing Jeneroux of abandoning the voters who elected him.
“Matt Jeneroux has betrayed the people of Edmonton Riverbend who voted for affordable food and homes, safe streets, and a strong resource sector,” Poilievre wrote.
He also claimed Prime Minister Carney is attempting to inch closer to majority power through what he described as “dirty background deals.”
Jeneroux’s defection is the latest sign of political instability within Conservative ranks and adds new momentum to the Liberal government as Parliament moves toward upcoming byelections and a potentially shifting national landscape.