Reactions in Nova Scotia are mixed after MP Chris d'Entremont left the Conservative Party to join the governing Liberals. Some residents have praised his decision, while others believe he misled voters about his intentions.
D'Entremont, who represents Acadie-Annapolis, explained on Wednesday that he left the Conservative caucus because he no longer felt represented by leader Pierre Poilievre's party. His statement has fueled discussion across his constituency.
“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.”
Gregory, whose district lies within d'Entremont's riding, added that while his defection came as a surprise given his reputation as a staunch Conservative, she respected his integrity and care for the community.
“He’s a very caring person, caring about his community, caring about what’s best. When he walked across the floor, he made a heart-wrenching choice for our community,” Gregory said.
D'Entremont began his political career in 2003 when he was elected to the Nova Scotia Legislature as a Progressive Conservative. He was re-elected four times and held several cabinet positions before pursuing a federal seat in West Nova, now Acadie-Annapolis. In the 2019 federal election, he became the only non-Liberal MP elected in Nova Scotia.
D'Entremont’s shift from the Conservatives to the Liberals has polarized his Nova Scotia base, revealing a clash between loyalty to party lines and community-driven values.