Saturday, 8 November 2025

How budget week turned into a nightmare for the Conservatives

 
 
 
 

How budget week turned into a nightmare for the Conservatives

Opposition was pushed off message during a key week to define the budget narrative

 
Catharine Tunney · CBC News ·
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre delivers his response to the federal budget
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre delivered his response to the budget on Wednesday — a week that saw his caucus shrink. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

This is not the week Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wanted to have. 

For the Opposition, budget week is a communications gift. It’s an easy way for the party to call out government spending, shout about what’s been included and decry what’s left out.

For a leader who has built his brand on calling out Liberal spending, tabling a budget with a $78-billion deficit is the political equivalent of pitching a strike straight down the middle to Dodger slugger Shohei Ohtani.

Instead of taking a victory lap around the bases, the Conservative ended the week facing questions about his leadership — after losing one MP to his rivals and another resigning from federal politics altogether.

Here’s how it played out, according to CBC News sources and public accounts. 

Leading up to budget day 

Prime Minister Mark Carney holds two meetings that set in motion a memorable week in Canadian politics.

One is with Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont, who would ultimately be swayed to cross the floor and serve as a Liberal. Carney didn’t say when they met, just that it was “in advance of [d’Entremont’s] decision.

Another was with Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux in an attempt to have him defect to the government side of the House, according to a senior Liberal source.

Tuesday 

It’s budget day— a newsy day to begin with, especially in Ottawa.

Journalists and stakeholders head into a lockup to pore over the 400-plus-page document before it’s tabled in the House of Commons.

About 20 minutes before the lockup ends, phones begin to buzz over a scoop from Politico: “Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont says he is considering crossing the floor to join the Liberal Party.”

The mad dash to confirm the story (while still reporting on the budget's contents) begins.

WATCH | What's the political fallout?:
 
What's the political fallout from a Conservative MP crossing the floor? | Power & Politics
November 5|
Duration 14:29
 
The Power Panel discusses the political fallout from Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont's decision to leave the Conservative caucus and join the Liberals in a minority Parliament.

A source with knowledge of the situation tells CBC News that after the Politico story dropped, Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer and whip Chris Warkentin walked into d’Entremont’s office without an appointment and started to pressure him to stay.

The first reports trickle out that d'Entremont resigned from caucus. By 6:30 p.m. d'Entremont confirms he’s joined the Liberal caucus.

He later puts out a statement through official Liberal Party channels saying he left after "serious consideration and thoughtful conversations with constituents." 

"I came to a clear conclusion: there is a better path forward for our country — and a better path forward for Acadie-Annapolis," it says. 

  • Cross Country Checkup is asking: Is there anything wrong with floor crossing? How important is party loyalty to you? Leave your comment here and we may read it or call you back for Sunday's show

Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman tells CBC she thinks d'Entremont left because he wanted to continue his role as deputy Speaker of the House of Commons — a role now occupied by Conservative MP Tom Kmiec. 

Rob Batherson, a fellow Nova Scotian and past president of the federal Conservatives, says the departure is "the worst personal betrayal I have ever experienced in 30-plus years of politics."

Rumours swirl that other MPs could also cross the floor. 

Wednesday 

D'Entremont joins Carney at a post-budget news conference and answers questions for the first time as a Liberal. 

He says he left the Conservative caucus because he didn't feel represented in Poilievre's party anymore, pointing to the latter’s "negative" approach to politics. 

Asked whether he was bitter over not getting the deputy speaker gig, d’Entremont says those discussions were an "awkward time" for him, but says he did "move on" and it’s not the reason he switched.

D’Entremont, who was first elected as an MP in 2019 and served for nearly two decades as a Progressive Conservative MLA before that, also hints that there are other Conservative MPs who "are in the same boat" and they may join him in crossing over to the Liberals.

Carney says his team will “speak to anyone publicly or otherwise who can support us."

Mixed reaction begins to flood in from d’Entremont’s southwest Nova Scotia riding.

WATCH | Constituents react:
 
Chris d'Entremont's constituents react to floor crossing
November 5|
Duration 1:52
 
On Tuesday, the MP for Acadie-Annapolis confirmed he left the Conservative caucus to join the governing Liberals. Taryn Grant has the story.

Back in Ottawa, Jeneroux’s name is thrown into the rumour mill as someone open to crossing the floor. His constituency office says he is not defecting.

Conservative housing critic Scott Aitchison tells CBC’s Power & Politics the remaining caucus “is completely unified.”

But panic mode had begun to set in, Conservative sources would later tell CBC News.

MP for Acadie-Annapolis Chris d’Entremont and MP for Orleans Marie-France Lalonde look on as Prime Minister Mark Carney responds to questions during an event in Ottawa, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. MP for Acadie-Annapolis Chris d’Entremont and MP for Orleans Marie-France Lalonde look on as Prime Minister Mark Carney responds to questions on Wednesday. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Top brass move to quickly cauterize the political bleeding, the sources said. That includes former Conservative campaign manager Jenni Byrne, still an adviser to the party, sources said.

Conservative sources say those conversations included intense pressure. 

According to sources, by mid-week many Liberals still believe there is a chance Jeneroux would cross the floor. 

Thursday 

As MPs prepare to vote on a Conservative sub-amendment against the budget, another bombshell drops.

Just before 6 p.m., Jeneroux announces he’s resigning as a member of Parliament.

In a letter, he says “it was not an easy decision, but it is, I believe, the right one.”

"I hope to have the opportunity to address the House one final time in the future. For now, my focus must turn entirely to my family and to the responsibilities that come with that," Jeneroux says.

WATCH | Jeneroux stepping down as an MP:
 
Conservative MP resigns from Parliament, second to leave caucus this week
November 7|
Duration 15:48
 
Edmonton Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux announced he will be stepping down after 10 years of service. This comes just days after Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont crossed the floor to join the Liberals. The CBC’s Janyce McGregor joins from Ottawa to share more, followed by political analyst Lori Turnbull.

Jeneroux, who was first elected in 2015, says he informed Warkentin earlier Thursday of his intention to resign. 

Poilievre publicly thanks Jeneroux for his service on social media Thursday evening and suggests the MP's official departure is still months away.

A few hours after his first statement, Jeneroux issues a second one to add that there was “no coercion involved in my decision to resign.” 

"I had a great conversation with Pierre Poilievre, who wished me all the best, as I do him,” says the second statement.

“I wish him and my colleagues all the best as they continue to raise cost of living issues facing Canadians.”

The twist largely overshadows the first confidence vote on Carney’s budget. Put forward by the Conservatives, the sub-amendment calls on the House to reject the budget. The Liberals, Bloc and NDP vote it down. 

The Liberals, Bloc and NDP all vote against that sub-amendment. Jeneroux abstains from the vote.

Friday 

The Conservatives appear in damage-control mode and try to change the channel. 

Scheer holds a brief media availability where he accuses the Liberals of “undemocratic” distractions. 

“We're not going to let Liberal sources distract from the budget,” he says from West Block. 

But reporters’ questions are focused on Jeneroux’s departure. 

WATCH | Liberals being 'undemocratic,' says Scheer:
 
Scheer accuses Liberals of taking 'undemocratic' actions to get a majority
November 7|
Duration 0:39
 
Opposition House leader Andrew Scheer accuses Liberals of using intimidation tactics to increase their seat count in the House of Commons. This comes after MP Matt Jeneroux announced his resignation Thursday and just days after former Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont crossed the floor.

Scheer dismisses accusations his party pressured Jeneroux and argues it was the Liberals who were the ones “badgering Conservatives in elevators and calling them at home.” 

He takes questions for about four minutes. 

In the House, Carney’s government survives its second confidence vote in two days as MPs vote down a Bloc amendment calling on the House to reject the Liberals’ budget. (The votes don't mean opposition MPs will support the budget itself when it comes up for a vote later this month.) 

Poilievre takes his budget critiques to the Economic Club of Canada in Toronto. He leaves through a side door, shirking media cameras. 

WATCH | Is Poilievre's leadership in trouble?:
 
   At Issue | Is Pierre Poilievre’s leadership in trouble?
November 6|
Duration 22:58
 
At Issue this week: Questions surface about Pierre Poilievre’s leadership after one Conservative MP crosses the floor and another resigns. Prime Minister Mark Carney looks for the votes to support his federal budget. And Canada’s plan to slash immigration levels.

It’s unclear what comes next for the party. The House isn’t sitting next week, perhaps giving the Opposition some breathing room. 

About a dozen Conservative MPs are expressing frustrations behind the scenes about his leadership, but it’s unclear if the internal strains will go away or if they amount to a crack in Poilievre’s armour.

His leadership will go to a vote in the new year.

With files from Kate McKenna, David Cochrane and J.P. Tasker

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
 

Conservatives says Carney using ‘undemocratic’ means to gain majority

 
Nov 7, 2025 
Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer attempted some damage control saying that Prime Minister Mark Carney was trying to gain a majority undemocratically as Scheer's party reels from two MPs leaving caucus this week. 
 
 
 
 

Carney’s Liberals survive second confidence vote | CTV National News for Friday, Nov. 7, 2025

 
Nov 8, 2025 
The latest developments from Ottawa following the second confidence vote, including tough questions for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre; The case that garnered international attention as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency finishes the cull of the B.C. ostriches; Canada’s latest labour report and what the numbers are showing as young Canadians struggle to find employment.
 

11 Comments

  
 Methinks if a few liberals from the Maritimes quit their caucus and sat as Independents before CTV News says my name again they would become very powerful N'esy Pas?
 


 
 
---------- Original message ---------
From: McPherson, Heather - M.P. <Heather.McPherson@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Mon, Feb 21, 2022 at 4:45 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: Deployment of Emergencies Act expected to pass with support of the NDP because of Trudeau's predictable confidence vote EH AB?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

[le français suit]

Thank you for contacting the office of Heather McPherson, MP for Edmonton Strathcona. Given the extraordinary volume of emails we receive daily, we are unable to reply to them all - but please rest assured that we do read them and your messages to Heather are important.

If you are a constituent looking for assistance with federal programs, please ensure that you have provided us your full name, address, and telephone number so that we may follow up with you.

If you are in need of urgent help, the following services are available via telephone:

·         Emergency needs (food, clothing, shelter): 1-866-644-5135

·         Mental Health Distress Line: 780-482-4357

·         Mental Health Live Chat: 1-877-302-2642 (available weekday day & evenings + weekend afternoons)

·         Seniors Abuse Helpline: 780-454-8888

·         Family violence info line: 780-310-1818

·         Child and family crisis support: 1-800-638-0715

·         Child abuse hotline: 1-800-387-5437

·         Crisis Diversion Team: 211 (Press 3 for the 24/7 Crisis Diversion Team)

·         Trans Lifeline: 1-877-330-6366

·         Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton: 780-423-4121

·         WIN House Women’s Shelter: 780-479-0058

·         Lurana Women’s Shelter: 780-424-5875

Below are a few non-emergency phone numbers:

·         Alberta Health Services: 811

·         Alberta Health & Seniors Advocates: 780-422-1812

·         Seniors help line: 211

·         City of Edmonton help line, including bylaw inquiries such as parking, construction, noise and/or neighbourhood cleanliness: 311

·         Alberta Works: 780-644-9992

·         Edmonton Community Legal Centre: 780-702-1725

·         Legal Aid: 1-866-845-3425

Constituency Staff,

Heather McPherson

Member of Parliament for Edmonton Strathcona

New Democratic Party of Canada

____________

Merci d’avoir communiqué avec le bureau de Heather McPherson, députée d’Edmonton Strathcona. Dès que nous recevons quotidiennement un volume extraordinaire de couriels, nous ne sommes pas en mesure de répondre a tous - mail soyez assuré que nous les lisons et que vos messages à Heather sont importants.

Si vous êtes un cocitoyen et que vous voulez de l’aide à propos des programmes fédéraux, veuillez-vous assurer que vous nous avez fourni votre nom complet, votre adresse, et votre numéro de téléphone afin que nous puissions faire un suivi avec vous.

Si vous avez un urgent besoin d’aide, voici des ressources téléphoniques :

·         Aide urgente pour les besoins de première nécessité (ravitaillement, habillement et hébergement) : 1-866-644-5135

·         Ligne d’écoute pour les personnes en détresse psychologique : 780-482-4357

·         Clavardage en direct pour la santé mentale : 1-877-302-2642 (le jour et le soir durant la semaine, l’après-midi durant la fin de semaine)

·         Ligne d’assistance pour les aînés victimes de mauvais traitements : 780-454-8888

·         Ligne d’information sur la violence familiale : 780-310-1818

·         Soutien à l’enfance et à la famille en crise : 1-800-638-0715

·         Numéro d’urgence pour la violence faite aux enfants : 1-800-387-5437

·         Équipe de déjudiciarisation en situation de crise : 211 (faites le 3 pour l’équipe disponible en tout temps)

·         Trans Lifeline : 1-877-330-6366

·         Centre d’aide aux victimes d’agressions sexuelles d’Edmonton : 780-423-4121

·         Refuge pour femmes WINhouse : 780-479-0058

·         Refuge pour femmes Lurana : 780-424-5875

Vous trouverez ci-dessous le numéro de services non urgents :

·         Services de soins de santé de l’Alberta : 811

·         Intervenant auprès des personnes âgées et en matière de santé de l’Alberta : 780-422-1812

·         Ligne d’aide pour les personnes âgées : 211

·         Ligne d’aide de la ville d’Edmonton (information concernant le règlement municipal sur le stationnement, la construction, le bruit et la propreté des quartiers) : 311

·         Alberta Works : 780-644-9992

·         Centre d’aide juridique communautaire d’Edmonton : 780-702-1725

·         Aide juridique : 1-866-845-3425

Le personnel dans la circonscription,

Heather McPherson

Députée d’Edmonton Strathcona

Nouveau Parti démocratique du Canada

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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