Nova Scotia MP joins Liberal caucus as Carney pitches 2025 budget

Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont to the Liberal caucus Wednesday, as stakeholders across Canada weigh in on the Liberal’s new fiscal plan, which includes hundreds of billions in capital investments, big cuts to the public service, and new tax measures.

“I’m honoured to welcome him as the newest member of our government caucus,” said Carney.

Rolling out the red carpet for the newest Liberal MP, Carney called d’Entremont’s decision to cross the floor.

The now-former Tory was greeted by thunderous applause at Wednesday’s Liberal caucus meeting, after he told the media his views no longer match up with Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.

“It’s time to actually try to lead a country, to try to make it better, and not try to knock it down,” said d’Entremont.

D’Entremont also says he thinks other conservatives are considering a move.

The Globe and Mail is reporting multiple Liberal sources saying there have been talks with other Conservatives about defecting.

The Liberals only need two more seats for a majority.

“We’ll speak to anyone — publicly or otherwise — that can support us,” said Carney.

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Carney began selling his budget Wednesday morning at an Ottawa transit facility, saying it aims to position Canada as a global leader in manufacturing and construction, while slowing spending growth over the next few years at a critical time of global change.

“It is a time to get big things done for Canadians and get them done fast,” said Carney.

But not everyone is sold, as Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario’s Finance Minister, said, “it’s less transformational, it’s more tinkering, it lacks some ambition.”

Bethlenfalvy says he’s happy health transfer payments to the province are being maintained, but thinks not nearly enough money has been allocated for infrastructure work.

“Also on the nation building side, we did not see a commitment to our priorities, which is large scale nuclear, the ring of fire, and the 401 tunneling,” said Bethlenfalvy.

The chief economist at Desjardins says the plan doesn’t match the ambition promised before its release, and labour unions say the cuts to the public service — about 40,000 jobs — will hurt Canadians.

“This will mean longer EI (Employment Insurance) waits, slower passports, fewer safety inspections, food inspections, delays for seniors and families,” said Larry Rousseau, with the Canadian Labour Congress.

The NDP have not clearly signaled their position on the budget, but the leader of the opposition is not a fan — especially of the $78 billion deficit.

“This budget, with its record deficit outside of COVID, is a deficit twice the size of the one Trudeau left behind, and $16 billion bigger than the prime minister promised,” said Poilievre.

Poilievre hasn’t commented on d’Entremont’s defection, but on the way into parliament Wednesday, many conservative MPs criticized d’Entremont for his decision.

The budget will come up for a vote later this month.

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