Overview
- Edmonton Riverbend MP Matt Jeneroux, who had announced plans to resign last fall, left the Conservatives to join the governing Liberals.
- He cited national unity concerns and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Davos speech as factors in his decision and will remain MP rather than trigger a by-election.
- Carney appointed Jeneroux as special advisor on economic and security partnerships.
- The move is the third Conservative defection in recent months and brings the Liberal caucus to 169 seats, with three by-elections pending including Terrebonne after a Supreme Court annulment.
- Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre denounced the switch as a betrayal and alleged the Liberals are pursuing a majority through backroom deals.