Another Conservative MP has made the switch to the Liberal Party, bringing Prime Minister Mark Carney closer to a much-desired majority.
Matt Jeneroux, an MP from Alberta, who mentioned last year that he intended to leave politics after rumors of his potential defection surfaced, announced on Wednesday that he is joining the government after all.
He becomes the third Conservative to join the Liberals, following Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont in November and Toronto-area MP Michael Ma in December.
The Edmonton Riverbend MP stated in a press release that he had discussions with his family during the holidays, reflecting on “the gravity of the moment that our country is living through” and recognizing the importance of “serving even when the path is not easy.”
Sitting alongside Carney during a short photo session in Edmonton, Jeneroux pointed to the prime minister’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland earlier this January as part of what influenced his decision.
“I think it opened a lot of eyes for Canadians, Albertans, Edmontonians, just how serious this national unity crisis truly is,” he said.
“For me it felt disingenuous and quite simply wrong to be sitting on the sidelines anymore. So I reached out to the prime minister’s office and will be joining his caucus.”
WATCH | Jeneroux cites Carney’s Davos speech:
Jeneroux says Carney’s ‘head-on’ approach in Davos influenced floor-crossing
Matt Jeneroux, an Edmonton MP who has left the Conservative Party to join the Liberal caucus, appeared alongside Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday and explained some of what drove his move.
Jeneroux sent an email to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, along with other party officials about his decision around 10:15 a. m. ET, according to a source familiar with these events.
Carney announced this development on X just one minute later.
In that statement, Carney indicated that Jeneroux would take on a position as a special adviser focused on economic and security partnerships. The Prime Minister’s Office clarified that it’s an unpaid role.
“Building a stronger, more resilient and more independent country will require ambition, collaboration, and occasionally, sacrifice,” noted the prime minister.
Are floor-crossers traitors? | About That
Conservative Ontario MP Michael Ma crossed over to join the Liberals just weeks after another Conservative did so as well; now Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government sits only one seat shy of having a majority. Andrew Chang explains how floor-crossing works and why it may seem contradictory to democracy – yet isn’t breaking any rules. Images provided by The Canadian Press, Reuters and Getty Images
British Columbia MP Frank Caputo expressed feeling “lied to.”
“[Jeneroux] will live with his decisions, character and broken relationships,” stated Caputo from Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola.
“What do we have beyond our integrity? I’ll sleep fine staying true to my principles while I continue fighting for my people.”
Ontario MP Andrew Lawton pointed out on X that there’s “one commonality in statements” made by d’Entremont, Ma and Jeneroux; they all lack mention of ‘Liberal.’
“They all talk about joining ‘the government.’ They are seeking power instead of making principled choices based on their beliefs or constituents’ wishes,” he commented.
This change marks another setback for Poilievre; despite achieving over 87 percent approval at last month’s party convention , he’s polling poorly among Canadians overall.
Jeneroux had hinted at stepping aside
Following d’Entremont’s departure from conservative caucus , there were speculations suggesting Jeneroux might also cross over. A liberal source claimed at that time , he’d even met with carney.
Instead , j en er oux – w ho served previously in provincial assembly before transitioning into federal politics back in 2015 – surprised many observers by announcing plans t o resign as mp entirely. He dismissed allegations claiming coercion by fellow members within his own party.
“For now , my focus must turn entirely toward family responsibilities,” j en er oux remarked then.
po il ievre mentioned j en er oux aimed t o step down come springtime.
Since then , j en er oux hasn’t been seen around house commons & abstained from voting regarding key confidence votes previous year.
post announcing intent t o resign, j en er oux pledged salary donations towards local charities.
His crossing brings total seats held by liberals up t o 169 i n house commons compared against opposing parties holding 171 seats altogether.
Three vacancies await byelection calls now too.
The Toronto ridings previously held by ex-liberals Chrystia Freeland & Bill Blair remain solid liberal holds.
A recent ruling from supreme court annuls results related specifically affecting Montreal-area riding Terrebonne where victory occurred via single vote margin obtained during last spring elections.*
asked whether willing securing majorities via such means originally answered saying:“WE NEED MORE PEOPLE VOTING FOR IT THAN AGAINST IT.”
Floor crossing represents long-standing phenomenon since confederation days despite mixed public opinion surrounding issue throughout years no rules exist barring mps switching political affiliations legally speaking.
< The federal ethics commissioner recently decided d’entremont did NOT breach conflict interest guidelines upon joining carneys’ liberals.-During various attempts emerged throughout years aiming force-floor crossing mps seeking reelection under new party banner but those proposals failed becoming legislation.
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Conservative Reaction
The Conservatives expressed strong criticism towards their former colleague. Poilievre stated that Jeneroux has “betrayed the people of Edmonton Riverbend who voted for affordable food and homes, safe streets, and a strong resource sector.” “Mark Carney is trying to seize a costly Liberal majority government that Canadians voted against in the last election through dirty backroom deals,” he wrote on social media. WATCH | About That breaks down floor-crossings:
Are floor-crossers traitors? | About That
Conservative Ontario MP Michael Ma crossed over to join the Liberals just weeks after another Conservative did so as well; now Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government sits only one seat shy of having a majority. Andrew Chang explains how floor-crossing works and why it may seem contradictory to democracy – yet isn’t breaking any rules. Images provided by The Canadian Press, Reuters and Getty Images
British Columbia MP Frank Caputo expressed feeling “lied to.”
“[Jeneroux] will live with his decisions, character and broken relationships,” stated Caputo from Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola.
“What do we have beyond our integrity? I’ll sleep fine staying true to my principles while I continue fighting for my people.”
Ontario MP Andrew Lawton pointed out on X that there’s “one commonality in statements” made by d’Entremont, Ma and Jeneroux; they all lack mention of ‘Liberal.’
“They all talk about joining ‘the government.’ They are seeking power instead of making principled choices based on their beliefs or constituents’ wishes,” he commented.
This change marks another setback for Poilievre; despite achieving over 87 percent approval at last month’s party convention , he’s polling poorly among Canadians overall.
Jeneroux had hinted at stepping aside
Following d’Entremont’s departure from conservative caucus , there were speculations suggesting Jeneroux might also cross over. A liberal source claimed at that time , he’d even met with carney.
Instead , j en er oux – w ho served previously in provincial assembly before transitioning into federal politics back in 2015 – surprised many observers by announcing plans t o resign as mp entirely. He dismissed allegations claiming coercion by fellow members within his own party.
“For now , my focus must turn entirely toward family responsibilities,” j en er oux remarked then.
po il ievre mentioned j en er oux aimed t o step down come springtime.
Since then , j en er oux hasn’t been seen around house commons & abstained from voting regarding key confidence votes previous year.
post announcing intent t o resign, j en er oux pledged salary donations towards local charities.
His crossing brings total seats held by liberals up t o 169 i n house commons compared against opposing parties holding 171 seats altogether.
Three vacancies await byelection calls now too.
The Toronto ridings previously held by ex-liberals Chrystia Freeland & Bill Blair remain solid liberal holds.
A recent ruling from supreme court annuls results related specifically affecting Montreal-area riding Terrebonne where victory occurred via single vote margin obtained during last spring elections.*
* If car ney’s liberals manage victories across these three upcoming byelections they’d attain majority status.* WATCH | ‘MPs are attracted t o what we’re doing,’ says car ney:
‘MPS ARE ATTRACTED TO WHAT WE’RE DOING,’ SAYS CARNEY AFTER TWO CONSERVATIVES JOIN LIBERALS
Prime Minister mark car ney spoke with CBC’S chief political correspondent rosemary barton during year-end interview discussing if comfortable gaining majorities due participation through floor crossings stating : “I AM COMFORTABLE COMMANDING THE CONFIDENCE OF HOUSE OF COMMONS.”asked whether willing securing majorities via such means originally answered saying:“WE NEED MORE PEOPLE VOTING FOR IT THAN AGAINST IT.”
Floor crossing represents long-standing phenomenon since confederation days despite mixed public opinion surrounding issue throughout years no rules exist barring mps switching political affiliations legally speaking.
< The federal ethics commissioner recently decided d’entremont did NOT breach conflict interest guidelines upon joining carneys’ liberals.-During various attempts emerged throughout years aiming force-floor crossing mps seeking reelection under new party banner but those proposals failed becoming legislation.
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