Chris d'Entremont, Self-Described 'Red Tory', Joins Liberals Citing Negativity
On November 4, many Canadians were unaware of who Chris d'Entremont was. However, after his decision to leave the Conservative Party and join the Liberals, his name became widely known.
That Tuesday morning, federal budget day, d'Entremont—then a Conservative MP—was still uncertain if he would cross the floor to the governing Liberals. The idea had been weighing on him for months.
At the start of the day, most Canadians didn’t know about Chris d'Entremont or where the Acadie-Annapolis riding was located. By the end of the day, that had drastically changed. News and social media coverage focused heavily on his decision, overshadowing the federal budget itself.
The Nova Scotia MP’s move to the Liberal caucus brought the government within two seats of a majority in the House of Commons. While some supported his choice, others expressed intense anger.
- Critics labeled him a traitor, accusing him of betraying voters and Canadians.
- He faced threats and exposure of some personal information.
- The pressure was significant enough to require security at his Yarmouth County home, even while he remained in Ottawa.
“I just had enough of the negativity. I just didn’t feel right about things,” d'Entremont said in November.
Before budget day, he had already talked with some government members while considering his options. Prime Minister Mark Carney also reached out to him.
Author’s summary: Chris d'Entremont left the Conservatives for the Liberals, citing fatigue with negativity, sparking polarized reactions and reshaping political dynamics in the House of Commons.