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Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that Alberta Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux has crossed the floor to join the Liberal Party, marking the third Conservative defection in recent months and moving the Liberals closer to a majority in the House of Commons.
In a post on X, Carney confirmed that Jeneroux, who represents Edmonton Riverbend, is now part of the Liberal caucus. With his addition, the Liberals hold 169 seats in Parliament, just three short of the 172 required to form a majority government. The shift significantly strengthens Carney’s position as he navigates a closely divided chamber.
Jeneroux’s decision is particularly notable because he has represented his Edmonton constituency since 2015 and won three consecutive federal elections as a Conservative. His departure is seen as a meaningful loss for the opposition party, especially in Alberta, a province that has traditionally been a stronghold for Conservatives.
Speaking on Wednesday, Jeneroux said his decision followed further reflection with his family over the holidays and conversations with colleagues and constituents. He revealed that a recent meeting with Carney in Edmonton, along with the prime minister’s speech at the World Economic Forum last month, ultimately influenced his choice.
According to Jeneroux, Carney’s remarks about middle powers working together to resist economic coercion by great powers resonated strongly. Although the speech did not mention United States President Donald Trump by name, it was widely interpreted as addressing policies associated with the current Trump administration. Jeneroux said the speech opened many eyes for Canadians, Albertans, and residents of Edmonton.
Carney praised Jeneroux as a strong voice in international engagement and parliamentary diplomacy. He also announced that Jeneroux will serve as a new special advisor on economic and security partnerships. In his statement, Carney emphasized that building a stronger, more resilient, and more independent country requires ambition, collaboration, and at times sacrifice. He expressed gratitude to Jeneroux and his family for continuing public service.
Jeneroux had previously indicated in November that he intended to resign from the Conservative caucus, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. At that time, he did not mention plans to join the Liberals. In an earlier statement, he said he had run in the 2025 federal election hoping the Conservatives would form government and that he wanted to play a role in that vision.
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre sharply criticized the move. In a social media post, he accused Carney of attempting to secure a costly Liberal majority government through what he described as dirty backroom deals. He also claimed that Jeneroux had betrayed the voters of Edmonton Riverbend who supported Conservative priorities such as affordable food and housing, safe streets, and a strong resource sector.
The latest defection follows similar moves by Conservative MPs Chris d Entremont of Nova Scotia and Michael Ma of Ontario, who both joined Carney’s government late last year. Both cited concerns about Poilievre’s leadership as part of their reasoning. D Entremont previously suggested that others within the party shared similar frustrations.
Despite these defections, Conservatives recently voted overwhelmingly to keep Poilievre as leader, even as opinion polls have reflected personal unpopularity for him. Meanwhile, three seats in Parliament remain vacant, including two in the Toronto area following the resignations of Liberal MPs Chrystia Freeland and Bill Blair, and one Montreal area seat awaiting a by election after an election result was decided by a single vote.
As Parliament continues to shift, Jeneroux’s defection adds further pressure on the Conservatives and brings the Liberals within striking distance of a governing majority.
