Reaction to MP Chris d’Entremont’s switch from the Conservative Party to the governing Liberals is causing a stir in Nova Scotia, with varying opinions among constituents. While some are in full support of his move, others feel he misled voters about his intentions.
Representing Acadie-Annapolis, D’Entremont explained to the media on Wednesday that he left the Conservative caucus because he no longer felt aligned with Pierre Poilievre’s leadership. Linda Gregory, the warden of the Municipality of the District of Digby, expressed her lack of surprise at this decision, citing Poilievre’s right-wing stance as a factor. She acknowledged D’Entremont’s long-standing reputation as a staunch Conservative but emphasized his integrity and genuine concern for the community in making this difficult choice.
Having served as a Progressive Conservative in the Nova Scotia Legislature since 2003, D’Entremont transitioned to the federal seat of West Nova (now Acadie-Annapolis) where he was the sole non-Liberal MP elected in the 2019 federal election. Gregory hopes that D’Entremont’s presence in the Liberal caucus will expedite action on critical local matters like the twinning of Highway 101, a sentiment echoed by others in the region.
John Cunningham, the warden for the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, expressed surprise at D’Entremont’s decision and highlighted mixed reactions among constituents. He emphasized the importance of understanding how this move will influence local priorities such as fisheries, infrastructure, and tourism.
Mayor Pam Mood of the Town of Yarmouth, a friend of D’Entremont, voiced her support for his decision, emphasizing the significance of leadership over party affiliation. She anticipated increased opportunities for securing federal funding for community projects with an MP on the government side.
In Kingston, N.S., constituents had differing views on the switch, with some feeling upset at the change, while others appreciated D’Entremont’s thoughtful consideration of community needs. The move was viewed as a sense of betrayal by Rob Batherson, former president of the Conservative Party of Canada, who highlighted the shift to a “Liberal monopoly” in Nova Scotia.
Notably, Alex Marland, a Canadian politics professor at Acadia University, remarked on the surprising nature of D’Entremont’s floor crossing, particularly amid the federal budget release. Marland pointed out that such shifts are typically seen with independents rather than direct moves between opposing parties. With D’Entremont’s departure, Nova Scotia no longer has any Conservative representation in caucus, prompting a call for the Conservative Party to better connect with the Atlantic region.
Kevin Surette, a close acquaintance of D’Entremont, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision and praised D’Entremont’s commitment to representing his constituents and Canada’s best interests.
Overall, the move has sparked a range of reactions in Nova Scotia, underscoring the complexity of political realignments and their impact on local communities.