Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont has left the Conservative caucus to join the governing Liberals, saying he wants to support the Carney government’s 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,” d’Entremont said in a Nov. 4 statement, making a reference to his Nova Scotia riding.

“Prime Minister Mark Carney is offering that path with a new Budget that hits the priorities I have heard most in my riding, to build strong community infrastructure and grow a stronger economy.”

The Liberal government tabled its budget on Nov. 4, projecting a deficit of $78 billion, and saying that the government is focused on the priority areas of housing and affordability, infrastructure, defence and security, and productivity and competitiveness.

The Conservatives have said they won’t support the budget, objecting to the level of deficit as well as the government’s refusal to remove taxes such as the industrial carbon levy. The Bloc Québécois has also said it won’t support the budget over unmet demands, while the NDP has said it needs more time to review the budget before declaring a position.

Prior to d’Entremont’s floor-crossing, the minority Liberal government held 169 seats, three short of the 172 required to pass a confidence vote, such as one on a budget bill. Even with d’Entremont joining the party, the Liberals still need two more votes to pass their budget bill and avoid an election.

Conservative MP and party whip Chris Warkentin said that d’Entremont had “personal grievances” over not being re-elected as a deputy speaker by MPs in this session of Parliament, and that he needs to answer to his constituents for switching parties.

“Conservatives don’t see how Chris d’Entremont can possibly vote for the Liberal budget after running to make life more affordable for Canadians with smaller deficits and a resilient economy,” Warkentin said in a statement.

“Conservatives are disappointed he let his own personal grievances of not getting elected Deputy Speaker get in the way of his promises, and that he agrees with Liberals that Canadians will have to sacrifice more for their failures,” he added. “Mr. d’Entremont must explain to his constituents why he broke his promises to them.”

Nova Scotia-based Rob Batherson, who was the president of the Conservative Party until 2023, called d’Entremont’s floor-crossing “the worst personal betrayal I have ever experienced in 30 plus years of politics.”

“I have supported Chris in many ways provincially and federally, starting from when we first met working in Premier John Hamm’s government in 1999 and continuing through to intervening on his behalf, among many others, to have Pierre Poilievre come to his riding during the 2024 World Acadian Congress,” Batherson said on social media.

“Chris d’Entremont told me repeatedly that he would be Nova Scotia’s voice in Canada’s Official Opposition,” Batherson added. “He has deprived Nova Scotians of that voice and broke his personal word to me.”

D’Entremont, a former Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative MLA, has represented Acadie-Annapolis since 2021, and was a deputy House speaker in the previous session of Parliament.

D’Entremont said he wanted to support the Liberal government instead of resorting to “complaint” as opposition.

“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,” d’Entremont said in his statement, which was sent out by the Liberal Party.

“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.”

Government Whip Mark Gerretsen was asked on Nov. 4 during a media scrum in Ottawa whether he is trying to persuade any Conservatives to join the Liberal caucus.

“We’re a big tent party, and we’re always open to those kind of discussions, but I’m not actively having a discussion with anybody if that’s what you’re asking,” Gerretsen said.

“There’s always room on our side for those that want to join the Liberal Party.”