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Nova Scotia Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont Crosses Floor to Join Liberals After Carney Budget

The switch leaves the government short of a majority, putting the new budget’s confidence vote in doubt.

Former deputy speaker Chris D'Entremont rises to remove his name from candidates for speaker of the House of Commons in Ottawa on Monday, May 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
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Chris d'Entremont enters the Fundy Restaurant in Digby with his wife Anne on election night in April 2025. The incumbent Conservative candidate had been elected to the Acadie-Annapolis riding. It was his third time being elected to the riding, which was formerly known as West Nova. Just over six months later, he's now crossed the floor of the House of Commons to sit with the Liberal caucus. TINA COMEAU
Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont was all smiles while on stage with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and then-MP Rick Perkins during a 2024 National Acadian Day concert at the Yarmouth Airport, which was part of the Congres mondial acadien that the region had hosted. TINA COMEAU

Overview

  • Following the budget’s tabling Tuesday, d’Entremont notified Pierre Poilievre by letter that he was leaving the Conservative caucus and joined the government benches.
  • He said he moved because Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first budget aligns with priorities he hears in Acadie–Annapolis, including community infrastructure and economic growth.
  • The defection lifts the Liberals to 170 of 343 seats, so they still require opposition support for the budget, a confidence measure.
  • Two Liberal sources say the government is sounding out other Conservative MPs about crossing or sitting as independents, with no firm commitments.
  • Conservative figures condemned the move as a betrayal and caucus sources attributed his exit to a personal grievance; d’Entremont previously served as deputy House Speaker and lacked caucus backing for a Speaker bid.