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Longtime Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont said Tuesday he has resigned from the Conservative caucus to join the Liberals, becoming the first parliamentarian to cross the floor since April’s election.
In a statement issued by the Liberal Party, d’Entremont said the federal budget unveiled Tuesday “hits the priorities I have heard most in my riding, to build strong community infrastructure and grow a stronger economy.”
“That is why I am joining the Government caucus,” he added.
D’Entremont said he informed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Opposition House Leader Andrew Scheer and Speaker of the House of Commons Francis Scarpaleggia of his resignation after the tabling of the budget.
Two sources in the Conservative caucus confirmed the news of d’Entremont’s resignation to Global News earlier in the day. One of the sources said the resignation was due to a “personal grievance.”
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D’Entremont served as deputy House Speaker from 2021 until the April election and did not get support from the Conservative caucus for his bid to become the Speaker this spring.
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He was first elected as an MP in 2019 after sitting as a Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative MLA for 16 years. He represents the riding of Acadie-Annapolis.
“After five years of serving in opposition, the people of Acadie-Annapolis and all Canadians know that the moment we face today needs all of us to lead — not with complaint, but with confidence in a strong future,” his statement said.
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“This is an important moment for the country to come together, and I am looking forward to working with the Prime Minister to build the strong economic future that all our communities deserve.”
The move comes after d’Entremont told Politico earlier Tuesday he was considering crossing the floor to join the Liberals, and would make a decision after reading the budget.
Poilievre declared in the House of Commons that Conservatives would not support the budget after it was presented by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne.
D’Entremont’s move increases the Liberals’ seat count in the House of Commons to 170.
However, the minority government will still need two more votes or abstentions to pass its budget amid Conservative opposition.
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—With files from Global’s David Akin and Denise Kimmel.
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