In a stunning political defection that could shift the balance of power in Ottawa, Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont has resigned from Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative caucus to join Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals.
The announcement came late Tuesday night through a statement from the Liberal Party, confirming that d’Entremont, who represents the riding of Acadie–Annapolis, had officially crossed the floor following the release of the 2025 federal budget.
“After serious consideration and thoughtful conversations with constituents and my family, I came to a clear conclusion: there is a better path forward for our country — and a better path forward for Acadie–Annapolis,” said d’Entremont. “Prime Minister Mark Carney is offering that path with a new budget that builds strong community infrastructure and a stronger economy. That is why I am joining the Government caucus.”
The defection comes as a blow to the Conservatives, who are still recovering from internal divisions following the federal budget debate. d’Entremont, first elected in 2019 with a razor-thin margin of just 533 votes, had previously expressed unease with the party’s Atlantic Canada strategy under Poilievre. “It would have been nice to have Pierre here earlier in the campaign,” he said earlier this year, hinting at growing frustrations within the regional caucus.
Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer reacted sharply to the news, calling the move “disappointing.” Speaking on CTV’s Power Play, Scheer said, “He’ll have to go back to the supporters in his riding who dug deep into their own pockets to support his campaign and explain why he turned his back on them just months later.”
Sources within the party suggest the decision may have also been influenced by personal grievances over the recent Speaker race. d’Entremont, who served as Deputy Speaker from 2021 to 2025, withdrew his candidacy for the top position earlier this year, reportedly due to internal caucus tensions and the delicate minority government dynamics. Scheer said, “I’m disappointed that he let personal grievances get in the way of his commitment to his constituents.”
Before entering federal politics, d’Entremont served 16 years in the Nova Scotia legislature, earning a reputation as a pragmatic and respected provincial leader. His move gives the Carney Liberals a crucial boost — now just two seats shy of a majority — strengthening their hand as they seek to pass the contentious federal budget.
Calling the moment “a chance to bring the country together,” d’Entremont said he looks forward to working alongside Carney to “build the strong economic future that all our communities deserve.”
Courtsey CBC News