Conservative MP announces resignation days after another crosses the floor

OTTAWA – A Conservative member of Parliament has announced his resignation, just days after another caucus member crossed the floor to join the Liberals.

Matt Jeneroux, MP for Edmonton Riverbend, said in a letter that it was “not an easy decision” but he believes it is the “right one.” 

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said on social media that Jeneroux plans to step down as a member of Parliament next spring.

Poilievre thanked Jeneroux for his “decade of service” and said the Conservative team wished him and his family “all the best.” 

Jeneroux said in his letter he ran in the last election hoping that Canadians would put their faith in a team led by Poilievre’s Conservatives.

“I wanted desperately to play a role in that vision,” Jeneroux said in his letter, adding that he spoke to the party’s opposition whip on Thursday about his decision to resign.

He said that while the outcome of the election was not what he anticipated, he has “great admiration” for those elected to the House of Commons on both sides of the aisle.

“Their work gives me faith that the momentum toward a stronger and more unified Canada endures,” he said in the letter.

The move comes after Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont left the Conservative caucus on Tuesday — just hours after the budget was released — and joined the Liberals.

D’Entremont’s move to leave the Conservative caucus to join the Liberals put the governing party two seats shy of a majority, which would allow it to pass the budget without opposition support.

Quebec MP Gérard Deltell told reporters in Quebec City on Thursday that d’Entremont’s departure was an isolated event.

“There won’t be any other departures, that’s the reality, whether it’s in Quebec or elsewhere,” he said.

His caucus colleague Jacques Gourde seemed less certain, however. He told reporters he didn’t think any more MPs will leave but that he couldn’t “guarantee anything.”

Jeneroux said he hopes he’ll have the opportunity to address the House of Commons “one final time in the future” and that his focus must now turn to his family.

Earlier this week, Jeneroux’s office said in an email to The Canadian Press that, despite rumours circulating in Ottawa, he “is not crossing the floor and (is) remaining a member of the Conservative caucus.”

Jeneroux was first elected to represent the riding of Edmonton Riverbend in 2015.

Conservative MP Garnett Genuis said on social media Thursday that it was a “pleasure” to serve with Jeneroux, who he called a “strong and consistent advocate” for his constituents. 

“I particularly want to recognize his work on mental health issues and his advocacy for families who lost loved ones when flight PS752 was shot down,” Genuis said.  

Conservative MP Frank Caputo said on social media that he is “honoured” to have served with Jeneroux.

“Matt Jeneroux is a good friend who gave a lot in public service,” Caputo said. “Matt is one of the friendliest people I know. I wish him all the best.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2025.