Ottawa, ON — A dramatic week in Canadian politics has reshaped the landscape on Parliament Hill, as one Conservative MP crossed the floor to join Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government and another resigned altogether — developments that have sent shockwaves through the Conservative Party and raised questions about Pierre Poilievre’s leadership.
The week began with behind-the-scenes meetings between Prime Minister Carney and several MPs, including Nova Scotia’s Chris d’Entremont and Alberta’s Matt Jeneroux. By Tuesday, as the federal budget dominated headlines, rumours began circulating that d’Entremont was preparing to leave the Conservative caucus. Within hours, he confirmed the reports — officially joining the Liberal Party.
In a statement, d’Entremont said his decision came after “serious consideration and thoughtful conversations” with his constituents. “I came to a clear conclusion: there is a better path forward for our country — and a better path forward for Acadie–Annapolis,” he said.
At a post-budget press conference, Carney welcomed d’Entremont, praising his experience and commitment to pragmatic politics. D’Entremont said he could no longer align with what he described as Poilievre’s “negative” and “divisive” leadership style.
The defection rattled Conservative ranks. Party insiders described the following 48 hours as “panic mode,” with senior strategists, including former campaign manager Jenni Byrne, moving swiftly to contain speculation that more MPs were considering following suit.
By Thursday evening, the political drama deepened. Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux announced his resignation from Parliament after 10 years of service, saying the decision was made “for family reasons.” In a follow-up statement, Jeneroux emphasized that “there was no coercion involved” and thanked both Poilievre and his colleagues for their support.
The twin departures overshadowed the first two confidence votes on Carney’s inaugural budget, both of which the Liberal government survived with support from the NDP and Bloc Québécois.
Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer attempted to redirect focus, accusing the Liberals of “undemocratic tactics” to strengthen their minority government. However, reporters pressed him on growing signs of internal strain within Conservative ranks, as at least a dozen MPs privately voiced concerns about Poilievre’s leadership direction.
As Parliament adjourns for a scheduled break, political analysts say the developments mark a major turning point for both parties. For the Liberals, the defection bolsters Carney’s image as a consensus-builder capable of bridging divides. For the Conservatives, it opens new questions about unity, discipline, and leadership ahead of a crucial confidence vote on the federal budget later this month.