Former Conservative deputy leader Lisa Raitt is calling on any Conservative MPs contemplating a switch to the Liberals to act quickly rather than prolong internal speculation.
Her remarks follow the announcement that Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux has left the Conservative caucus to join the Liberal government. Jeneroux is the third Conservative MP in three months to cross the floor, after Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont and Markham–Unionville MP Michael Ma made similar moves.
Speaking in a television interview, Raitt said ongoing rumours about additional defections are distracting the party from its core mission.
“If you’re thinking about it, just do it now and get it over with,” she said, arguing that speculation and “backroom politics” serve no benefit to Canadians and only weaken the party’s focus.
Jeneroux said he would work with Prime Minister Mark Carney as part of the government, a move that could strengthen the Liberals’ position in the House of Commons. His decision has sparked criticism from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who accused him of betraying his constituents.
Raitt questioned the motivations behind recent defections, noting that MPs often frame their move as “joining the government” rather than explicitly saying they are joining the Liberal Party. She suggested the appeal of being in government — rather than opposition — may be a significant factor, referencing a long-standing Ottawa saying that even the worst day in government can outweigh the best day in opposition.
Former cabinet minister James Moore cautioned against overreacting to the defections. He warned that aggressive personal attacks could backfire and potentially encourage further departures. Instead, he advised party leadership to focus on discipline, unity and presenting itself as a credible alternative government.
Moore also suggested Poilievre should enforce stronger caucus discipline and assign clear responsibilities to MPs, emphasizing the need for Conservatives to demonstrate executive readiness while in opposition.
The discussion also touched on comments made by Conservative MP Jamil Jivani during a recent trip to Washington. Raitt said MPs are free to advocate for their constituents but stressed the importance of careful language, particularly amid heightened sensitivity surrounding Canada-U.S. relations.
As Parliament’s numbers tighten, the latest floor-crossing has intensified debate over leadership, loyalty and strategy within Conservative ranks — and raised questions about whether more defections could follow.