Chris d’Entremont’s Defection from Conservatives Puts Carney on the Brink of a Liberal Majority

By: Donovan Martin Sr, Editor in Chief

Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont’s stunning decision to cross the floor has shaken Canadian politics and altered the balance of power in Ottawa. His announcement — “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. Prime Minister Mark Carney is offering that path.” — was more than a personal choice; it was a political earthquake.

For the Liberals, this moment couldn’t have come at a better time. Carney’s government now stands just two seats away from a parliamentary majority, a threshold that would allow him to pass legislation with confidence and govern without relying on opposition support. It’s a symbolic victory that reinforces the growing sense of momentum around Carney’s leadership and his effort to build a pragmatic, centrist coalition rooted in fiscal responsibility and social stability.

For d’Entremont, the move appears to be about principle rather than politics. In his statement, he emphasized economic direction and a belief that the government’s new approach — focused on infrastructure investment, affordability, and regional economic growth — better aligns with the needs of his Nova Scotia constituents. But make no mistake: such a high-profile defection from the Conservative ranks sends a sharp message about internal discontent and the current state of the opposition.

The Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, faces its toughest test yet. The loss of one of its more respected and moderate voices underscores the growing rift between centrist conservatives and the party’s populist flank. It raises the uncomfortable question of whether the party’s hard-line approach has begun to alienate its traditional base — particularly those in Atlantic Canada who value pragmatic governance over ideological purity.

D’Entremont’s defection also revives an old political term that Canadians know well: “crossing the floor.” It’s a rare but powerful act in parliamentary politics — when a sitting MP abandons one party to join another, physically taking a new seat on the opposite side of the chamber. It’s both a symbolic and literal move of allegiance, often reflecting deep dissatisfaction with one’s party leadership or direction.

History shows that floor crossings can change the course of governments. In 2006, David Emerson famously left the Liberals to join Stephen Harper’s newly formed Conservative government, a move that sparked public outrage but helped Harper solidify early power. In 2018, Leona Alleslev switched from the Liberals to the Conservatives, citing national security concerns. And in 2021, Jenica Atwin left the Green Party for the Liberals, reshaping political alliances in New Brunswick.

Each defection carries its own story, but the pattern is familiar: when parties lose touch with the moderates who helped build them, someone eventually walks away.

That’s exactly what makes d’Entremont’s departure so significant. It isn’t just about one MP’s choice — it’s about the direction of two national parties. The Liberals, under Carney, are reclaiming the political centre and projecting competence and calm at a time when Canadians crave stability. The Conservatives, meanwhile, risk being defined by internal division and ideological rigidity.

Inside Conservative ranks, the timing couldn’t be worse. With a leadership review expected early next year, the loss of a sitting MP adds pressure on Poilievre to prove he can unite his caucus and present a vision that resonates beyond the party faithful. Every defection weakens his argument that he can bring Canadians together.

For the Liberals, the optics are powerful. Carney has spent months quietly courting moderates and independents, crafting a narrative of economic renewal and national confidence. To have a sitting Conservative MP publicly endorse that vision adds credibility — and perhaps signals that more could follow. If even a handful of Conservatives are considering similar moves, Carney could find himself in a governing majority before an election is even called.

But perhaps the deeper impact lies beyond the arithmetic of Parliament. D’Entremont’s decision speaks to a broader national mood — one of fatigue with polarization and a desire for cooperation. Canadians, weary of partisan shouting matches and economic uncertainty, may see this as a refreshing act of conscience. For many, it reaffirms the idea that politics can still be about conviction rather than calculation.

As for the Conservatives, the defection may serve as both a warning and a wake-up call. They can either double down on ideological purity or rediscover the pragmatic conservatism that once won them the trust of mainstream Canadians. The choice they make in the months ahead could determine not just their electoral fortunes, but whether they remain a serious governing alternative at all.

When the next election arrives — likely early next year — d’Entremont’s decision could be remembered as the moment that signaled the end of the Conservative leader’s hold on his party. Whether others follow remains to be seen, but the message is unmistakable: the winds in Ottawa are shifting, and Mark Carney’s Liberals are now within striking distance of a majority that once seemed out of reach.

In politics, momentum is everything. And for the first time in years, it’s the Liberals — not the Conservatives — who have it.