Multiple sources tell CBC News that Liberal MLA Fred Tilley will cross the floor to join the governing Progressive Conservative caucus in Nova Scotia.Â
Premier Tim Houston has scheduled a news conference at Province House for 1:30 p.m. today.
Tilley, the MLA for the Cape Breton district of Northside-Westmount, was first elected in the 2021 general election that saw the Liberals fall from power and Houston’s Tories form a majority government.
He’s been a vocal critic of the government on issues such as economic development, health care and the government’s relationship with the mayor and council of Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Now, with rumours swirling that Houston could call a snap election as early as this weekend, it appears Tilley’s next campaign signs will be blue instead of red.
Tilley would become the second member of the Liberal caucus to jump ship to join the government side this year.
In February, Halifax Atlantic MLA Brendan Maguire left the Liberal caucus to join the Tories, immediately being named Community Services minister.
