Internal tensions within the Conservative Party are coming into sharper focus, as Chris d’Entremont says several of his former colleagues remain dissatisfied and are quietly exploring their options.
D’Entremont, who crossed the floor from the Conservatives to join the Liberals last year, revealed that some Conservative MPs have approached him privately to understand what it’s like inside the Liberal caucus.
“They’re curious about how decisions are made and whether their voices would be heard,” he said in a televised interview, adding that many are surprised by what he described as a more collaborative approach under Mark Carney.
His comments come as a growing number of MPs have switched allegiance to the governing Liberals in recent months. The latest to do so is Marilyn Gladu, a longtime Conservative representative, whose move has brought the Liberal government within one seat of a majority in the House of Commons.
D’Entremont dismissed suggestions that such decisions are driven purely by political opportunism, instead framing them as a response to concerns about leadership and direction within the Conservative ranks.
“There are still a number of unhappy people there,” he said, pointing to visible frustration among some MPs during parliamentary proceedings.
While he stopped short of predicting further defections, he acknowledged ongoing conversations with Conservative members who are questioning their alignment with party leadership.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has pushed back strongly, accusing the Liberals of orchestrating backroom deals to lure MPs across the aisle. He also called on Gladu to resign her seat and seek a new mandate from voters through a byelection.
The recent wave of floor-crossing underscores shifting political dynamics in Ottawa, as the Liberals edge closer to majority status and the Conservatives face mounting questions about unity within their caucus.