By Spencer Van Dyk
In his first media availability since two MPs announced they’re leaving his caucus, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he plans to continue leading the party as he has been. When asked by a reporter to respond to comments by former Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont — who last Tuesday announced he was crossing the floor to the Liberals and later blamed Poilievre’s leadership style for his decision — Poilievre quoted previous remarks made by the defected MP in the House. “First of all, I just quote Mr. d’Entremont,” Poilievre said, in response to the question about his leadership style, before reading d’Entremont’s previous criticisms of the Liberal government, including “out-of-control spending and massive deficits.” “I’m very saddened for the Nova Scotia families on whom (Prime Minister Mark) Carney and Mr. d’Entremont are raising the price of groceries and homes, but that will not change our resolve to continue to fight for affordable Canada, affordable budgets and an affordable future,” Poilievre added.
Two days after d’Entremont crossed the floor, Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux announced he would be stepping down as an MP, with Poilievre later saying the resignation won’t come into effect until “next spring.” Jeneroux’s resignation from Parliament came one day after he shut down speculation that he may also have been considering crossing the floor to the Liberals.
But two sources told CTV News that Jeneroux had conversations with senior staffers from Carney’s office as recently as last Wednesday morning. Following that meeting, the impression among all those involved was that Jeneroux would be crossing the floor.
Amid the speculation, a source close to Jeneroux told CTV News that Conservative Party officials made it known to him that there would be consequences if he did leave caucus to join the Liberal ranks.
When asked again by a second reporter whether d’Entremont and Jeneroux’s decisions have pushed him to reflect on his leadership style, Poilievre said: “No.”
“My plan is to continue to lead and be the only leader in the country that’s fighting for an affordable Canada where our people who work hard can afford a home and food, that is my agenda,” Poilievre also said, before quoting remarks made by d’Entremont in the House for the second time.
And, asked a third time by another reporter about the floor-crosser — specifically about comments d’Entremont made to CBC News that the Conservative caucus felt like a “frat house” — Poilievre again quoted from d’Entremont’s remarks in the House, which heavily criticized the Liberals.
Poilievre, who is set to face a leadership review in January, also said he doesn’t believe more MPs will leave his caucus.
D’Entremont’s floor crossing now puts the Liberal government just two seats shy of a majority ahead of the federal budget vote — which is also a confidence vote on Nov. 17.
Sources: ctvnews.ca/politics
