Conservative Member of Parliament Matt Jeneroux declared his resignation from the House of Commons on Thursday, putting an end to speculations that he might defect to the Liberal Party. Throughout the week, there were rumors circulating that the Alberta MP was contemplating switching sides, with some Conservative sources indicating that he faced internal pressure to remain within the party. A senior Liberal source confirmed that Jeneroux had a meeting earlier in the week with Prime Minister Mark Carney.
However, Jeneroux emphasized that his decision to step down from federal politics was not influenced by any form of coercion. In a statement, he clarified, “There was no coercion involved in my decision to resign. I have deep friendships with my Conservative Party colleagues, and I will miss them greatly.”
This move marks the second departure from the Conservative caucus this week, following Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont’s decision to join the Liberals on Tuesday. These departures pose challenges for Pierre Poilievre’s leadership and provide the minority Liberal government with more leeway to advance legislative agendas, such as this week’s budget, through Parliament.
Jeneroux briefly mentioned Poilievre in his resignation statement. In a subsequent communication through official party channels, he disclosed that he had spoken with the Conservative leader following his announcement, highlighting that his desire to spend quality time with his family motivated his choice to step down.
D’Entremont cited issues with Poilievre’s leadership style as the reason for his switch to the Liberals. Jeneroux, who was elected in 2015, notified party whip Chris Warkentin earlier on Thursday about his intention to resign, expressing his hope to address the House one final time in the future.
Expressing gratitude for the support received, Jeneroux urged individuals not to contact his family during this period. He conveyed his disappointment at not realizing the envisioned outcome of contributing to a Conservative government under Poilievre’s leadership.
Poilievre acknowledged Jeneroux’s service and hinted that the official departure date might be several months away. Jeneroux indicated that the exact timing of his departure would be determined later but implied it would be in the upcoming spring.
The resignation necessitates a by-election for Jeneroux’s Edmonton seat, which he secured with a relatively slim margin over his Liberal opponent in April.
Efforts within the party aimed to deter further floor-crossings following d’Entremont’s move, with Conservative sources indicating concerns about potential additional departures to the Liberals. Senior Conservatives, including former campaign manager Jenni Byrne, worked to dissuade potential defections. While these efforts seem to have yielded temporary success, there are lingering concerns among some senior Liberals about the possibility of more defections.
Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated openness to engaging with individuals who can provide support, while d’Entremont hinted at the likelihood of former Conservative caucus members joining him in switching allegiances due to dissatisfaction with Poilievre’s leadership style. During a meeting on Parliament Hill, Warkentin emphasized the importance of party unity, characterizing it as a rallying moment for the caucus.