OTTAWA — On November 4, 2025, Nova Scotia Member of Parliament (MP) Chris d’Entremont made a significant political shift by leaving the Conservative caucus to join the Liberal party. This announcement came just hours after the government presented its latest budget in the House of Commons.
In a media statement issued by the Liberal party, d’Entremont expressed his decision was reached after serious reflections and discussions with both his constituents and his family. He articulated a vision for a better future for both Canada and his riding of Acadie-Annapolis, stating, “there is a better path forward for our country— and a better path forward for Acadie-Annapolis.”
He formally resigned from the Conservative party, notifying Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and other relevant figures immediately after the budget was unveiled. D’Entremont praised Prime Minister Mark Carney's new budget, which he stated addressed the priorities most raised by constituents, focusing on developing strong community infrastructure and fostering economic growth.
D’Entremont’s departure brings the Liberal party within two seats of achieving a majority government, complicating the dynamics around passing the budget without opposition support. His decision was received negatively by many of his former colleagues within the Conservative party.
Deputy Conservative leader Melissa Lantsman expressed her disappointment, articulating that d’Entremont chose to abandon the responsibilities that Conservative voters expected him to fulfill in Ottawa. “Chris made a decision, and he made a decision not to fight inflation and not to lower the cost of food and not to do any of the things that he was sent here to do by his constituents,” she commented after leaving the House.
Ontario Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis described the situation as "very sad," equating it to a divorce, a sentiment echoed by other Conservatives who were less forgiving in their assessments. B.C. Conservative MP Aaron Gunn described d’Entremont as “a coward,” while Rob Batherson, a former Conservative party president, expressed feeling personally betrayed, stating it was the worst betrayal he experienced in over 30 years in politics.
Batherson criticized d’Entremont for breaking a promise to remain as Nova Scotia's sole Conservative voice in the House of Commons. “I never imagined I would be in a position to not trust Chris d’Entremont,” he lamented.
Before the formal announcement of his switch to the Liberals, some Members of Parliament (MPs) expressed support for d’Entremont's potential new role. Ontario Liberal MP Ryan Turnbull noted the unfortunate nature of d’Entremont feeling unwelcome in the Conservative party, stating it was not surprising and that there would be opportunities for him within the Liberal caucus. “Chris is a terrific guy and a personal friend. These things aren’t easy for anybody,” added Justice Minister Sean Fraser, signifying the complexity of the political landscape.
D’Entremont, who had served as deputy House Speaker from 2021 until the April 2025 federal election, did not receive backing from the Conservative caucus for his candidacy for the Speaker’s position in the spring of 2025. He was initially elected as an MP in 2019, bringing with him a background of 16 years as a Progressive Conservative Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Nova Scotia.
