OTTAWA — A former Conservative MP freshly initiated into the Liberal ranks was enthusiastically embraced by the prime minister and his caucus on Wednesday, as questions swirl on Parliament Hill about whether Mark Carney’s first federal budget has the opposition support it needs to ensure his government’s survival.
Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont — who on Tuesday stunned his former colleagues by leaving Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives to join the government benches — walked into the Liberals’ morning caucus meeting with Carney to a standing ovation, raucous applause, and cheers of “Chris! Chris! Chris!”
An hour earlier, d’Entremont joined the prime minister at a news conference in the capital, where he told reporters his decision to spurn the Conservatives was partly influenced by Poilievre’s leadership style.
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“It’s just looking at leadership styles and whether we are doing the right thing for Canada or we’re doing the right thing for ourselves. And I would rather be on the side of Canadians,” d’Entremont said.
D’Entremont said he had already been speaking with the Liberals prior to news breaking Tuesday that he was mulling over an exit, and that his message to other Conservatives considering a similar move would be that they consider whether they are “trying to build for the world … rather than knocking people down.”
“I would suggest that there probably are those that are in the same boat, but I will let them tell their stories, if that time comes,” d’Entremont said of his former colleagues.
Carney said he was “honoured” by d’Entremont’s move and said his “decision to join the government caucus at this crucial moment for our country is exceptionally valuable and important.”
The floor crossing brings the Liberals within two votes of having a majority in the House of Commons, as Tuesday’s budget is set to face a confidence vote that could trigger an election call if the minority Liberals fail to entice others to join their ranks, support the fiscal plan, or abstain from voting altogether. The New Democrats, who could play a critical role in helping or preventing the budget’s passage, also signalled Wednesday their dissatisfaction with the budget.
The prime minister was coy about whether his party was talking to other Conservatives or MPs from other parties about joining the Liberals.
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“I will talk to anyone. It’s part of our job to talk to each other,” the prime minister said.
D’Entremont has faced an onslaught of criticism from Conservative circles for his decision, with many characterizing his defection as turning his back on both his party and the Nova Scotians who voted for him.
“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,” Chief Opposition Whip Chris Warkentin wrote in a statement late Tuesday.
“Mr. d’Entremont must explain to his constituents why he broke his promises to them.”
That ire continued Wednesday, with Bowmanville — Oshawa North MP Jamil Jivani calling d’Entremont “an idiot” on his way into the Conservative caucus meeting.
B.C. MP Aaron Gunn said his former colleague’s exit was “shameful,” telling reporters he felt “angry” and that no one he is close with in caucus was thinking about leaving.
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“Everyone that gets up and speaks in caucus is united,” Gunn said. “It’s not like Chris was getting up (and) expressing his disillusionment.”
Ontario MP Michael Barrett said d’Entremont can no longer be “taken at his word”, reading a quote from a speech d’Entremont delivered in the House of Commons in September, in which he accused the Liberals of “out-of-control spending and massive deficits” and said Canadians were not impressed by Carney’s empty promises of “financial discipline.”
Quebec MP Bernard Généreux, meanwhile, said in French that he was not tempted to leave the Conservative benches because his party has the “best leader” in Poilievre.
D’Entremont addressed the criticism levelled against him by his former colleagues, acknowledging that his failed bid to be elected Speaker of the House of Commons earlier this year (he had previously spent four years as deputy speaker) was “awkward” but that he had moved on.
He said the people of Acadie — Annapolis — where d’Entremont was very narrowly re-elected amid a strong challenge from the Liberals — were at the top of his mind as he contemplated his decision, and that he felt Tuesday’s budget responded to the infrastructure needs of his constituents.
Montreal Liberal MP Marc Miller said d’Entremont was a “super nice guy” and that he reached out to the former deputy speaker yesterday once he saw the blowback he was receiving.
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“I think it’s a testament to how miserable the attitude is in the Conservative party currently, particularly with a miserable leader like Pierre Poilievre to attack Chris, because he’s universally liked and respected, appreciated and seen as a good guy.”
Miller said he was “pretty confident” his government’s budget would pass and said the “numbers” seem to be in the Liberals’ favour, though he did not provide specifics.
NDP MPs on Wednesday listed a long list of budget items they staunchly opposed.
Winnipeg’s Leah Gazan and Vancouver’s Jenny Kwan told the Star they have ruled out abstaining, but did not commit to voting against the budget before having discussions in caucus.
“We’re elected here to make a point, to take a position,” Kwan said. “I’ve always done that in all my entire political life, and I will represent my constituents.”
The MPs slammed plans to slash spending by $58.2 billion, shed 40,000 public service jobs, cut a luxury tax on planes and boats, among other things.
Like NDP interim leader Don Davies yesterday, however, Vancouver Island’s Gord Johns was more coy on his position, refusing to rule out any type of vote.
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He said the budget included a biomass tax credit and investment in a national aerial firefighting fleet that he had pushed for.
“Clearly, they’re targeting us,” Johns said. “They put things in for Don’s riding, for Lori’s riding, they found something for every one of us.”
Nunavut’s Lori Idlout, however, said a pledge to provide funding for the first Inuit-owned and governed university in Canada did not make her feel better about the budget.
“I’m hearing reports in Nunavut that Inuit children are stealing food from grocery stores. That’s the reality,” she said. “And for this Liberal budget to make it easier for mining companies to exploit our lands while Inuit children are stealing food, I think it’s just completely an injustice.”
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