Floor-crossing MP hints that more Conservatives might follow him to the Liberals

OTTAWA — The Liberals’ newest addition to caucus, Chris d’Entremont, said on Wednesday that he was not “aligned” with his former leader Pierre Poilievre’s political ideals and hinted that other Conservatives may be following his example.

D’Entremont appeared at Prime Minister Mark Carney’s side during a press conference in Ottawa, the morning after his surprise decision to leave the Conservative caucus and cross the floor to join the minority Liberals just hours after the tabling of their budget.

“I’m honoured to welcome him as the newest member of our government caucus,” said Carney. “Chris’s decision to join the government caucus at this crucial moment for our country is exceptionally valuable and important.”

The minority Liberals are just two seats away from a majority which could guarantee the passage of their budget without the help of opposition parties.

Speaking to reporters, d’Entremont said he has been mulling over this decision to leave Poilievre’s Conservatives for a long time.

“Over the last number of months, I wasn’t feeling that I was aligned with the ideals of what the leader of the opposition had been talking about. So, I’ve been sort of relooking at what my career is bringing, and what I can do for my constituency,” he said.

D’Entremont said he held many conversations with his “friends” in the Liberal benches — relationships he formed when he was Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons — and came to the conclusion that he was better off joining their ranks.

“In my case, as a Nova Scotian, we’re always trying to find ways to work together to solve issues that are important to our communities. And I didn’t see it by sitting in the opposition. I saw it by being a part of the government caucus,” he said.

“It’s time to actually try to lead a country, to try to make it better and not try to knock it down, not to continue to be negative,” he added.

D’Entremont said that other Conservative MPs may be feeling the same way he did.

“I would suggest that there probably are those that are in the same boat, but I will let them tell their stories if that time comes,” he said.

Carney declined to say how many Conservatives his party had approached to join the Liberal ranks.

“We’ll speak to anyone, publicly, or otherwise, that can support us,” he said.

D’Entremont said Poilievre’s leadership style ultimately played a role in his decision.

“I didn’t find I was represented there that my ideals of an Easterner, of a red Tory, quite honestly, of trying to find ways to find solutions and help your community rather than trying to oppose everything that’s happening,” he said.

When asked if he was promised a minister portfolio, he simply said “no.”

In response to Conservative leadership’s suggestion that he was sour grapes after the party did not support him in his bid as Speaker of the House of Commons last spring, d’Entremont admitted it was an “awkward time” for him, but he did ultimately “move on.”

Conservative MPs reacted with a mix of anger and disappointment to the news of d’Entremont leaving their caucus, with some calling him a “coward” or an “idiot.”

“I think they should look at themselves and see if they’re offering the right thing to Canadians of trying to build for the world,” said d’Entremont.

“We have a great opportunity here in Canada, and rather than knocking people down, we should try to find ways to work together. And that’s what I’ve always tried to do in my career.”

On Wednesday, Liberals were tight-lipped about the efforts behind the scenes to poach some more disgruntled Conservatives.

“I’m becoming used to waking up to surprises every day,” said Government House leader Steven MacKinnon.

— With files from Stephanie Taylor and Christopher Nardi

National Post calevesque@postmedia.com

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