Chris d'Entremont's Party Switch Sparks Mixed Reactions in Nova Scotia
MP Chris d'Entremont's decision to leave the Conservative Party and join the governing Liberals has generated varied responses in his Nova Scotia community. Some residents support his choice, while others feel he misled voters about his intentions.
Reasons for the Switch
D'Entremont, representing Acadie-Annapolis, explained on Wednesday that he left the Conservative caucus because he no longer identified with leader Pierre Poilievre's direction.
"That does not surprise me," said Linda Gregory, warden of the Municipality of the District of Digby. "I think of Poilievre as a right-winger. I personally would run too."
Community Perspective
Gregory’s municipality lies within d'Entremont’s southwest Nova Scotia riding. She described the move as unexpected since d'Entremont had been a "staunch Conservative."
"But he's also got a lot of integrity. He's also a very caring person, caring about his community, caring about what's best. When he walked across the floor, he made a decision that was very heart-wrenching for him to make the best choice for our community," Gregory added.
Political Career Highlights
- D'Entremont was first elected to the Nova Scotia Legislature in 2003 as a Progressive Conservative.
- He was re-elected four times and served in several cabinet roles.
- He later sought the federal seat of West Nova, now Acadie-Annapolis.
- In the 2019 federal election, he was the sole non-Liberal MP elected from Nova Scotia.
Author's summary: Chris d'Entremont’s shift to the Liberals reveals the tension between political loyalty and community representation, highlighting his complex relationship with party politics.