Tory MP Matt Jeneroux defects to Liberals
Jeneroux is the third Conservative MP cross the floor to the Liberals in three months
Author of the article:Bryan Passifiume
Published Feb 18, 2026 • Last updated 10 hours ago • 3 minute read
Conservative MP for Edmonton Riverbend Matt Jeneroux
Conservative MP for Edmonton Riverbend Matt Jeneroux rises during Question Period, Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Ottawa. Photo by Adrian Wyld /The Canadian Press
OTTAWA — Another Tory MP has crossed the floor to join the Liberals.
The news broke little after 10 a.m. Wednesday when Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Edmonton-Riverbend MP Matt Jeneroux — who in November 2025 announced his plans to step down from his seat in the House of Commons — would become the latest Conservative member of parliament to cross the floor to the Liberals.
“I am honoured to welcome Matt Jeneroux to our caucus as the newest member of Canada’s new government,” Carney posted on X.
“Building a stronger, more resilient, and more independent country will require ambition, collaboration, and occasionally, sacrifice. I am grateful to Matt and his family that he will continue his service as a strong voice for Edmonton Riverbend in Parliament.”
Jeneroux offered special advisor role in Liberal caucus
Carney’s social media post stated Jeneroux would be named “special advisor on economic and security partnerships,” describing him as a “strong voice” in international engagement and parliamentary diplomacy.
In announcing his now-aborted resignation in November, Jeneroux described it as “not an easy decision,” but he said it was the right thing to do — encouraging Canadians to put their faith in a Conservative government under party leader Pierre Poilievre.
Jeneroux’s resignation announcement came just days after Acadie-Annapolis MP Chris d’Entremont announced in early November his intention to cross the floor to the Liberals — at a time when the now-former Conservative MP was fighting off rumours he was planning a similar move.
Jeneroux’s surprise defection brings Alberta’s MP count to three, joining Calgary Confederation’s Corey Hogan and Edmonton Centre MP and cabinet minister Eleanor Olszewski, who serves as both Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, and the minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada.
House of Commons seat map
Changes to House of Commons seat map. Photo by Toronto Sun graphic
Defection will avoid byelection, Jeneroux said
In a statement posted to social media, Jeneroux said the decision to switch parties came out of conversations and reflections on the pressures being put upon Canada and what he described as “global pressures” on its prosperity.
“These conversations have been honest, difficult and deeply personal at times, but they also led me to reflect on the gravity of the moment that our country is living through,” he said, adding they reflected points made during Carney’s recent speech in Davos.
“For Canada, this is am omnent that demands steady leadership, constructive collaboration between all Parliamentarians, and a willingness to stand up and serve when when the path is not easy.”
Jeneroux’s decision to cross the floor instead of resigning his seat, he said, will sidestep the instability that subjecting his constituents to a byelection would.
Three Tories defected to Liberals in three months
Wednesday’s floor crossing brings the number of Tory MPs who’ve crossed to the Liberals to three in as many months.
In early November, Acadie-Annapolis MP Chris d’Entremont left the federal Conservative caucus for the Liberals, followed about a month later by Markham-Unionville MP Michael Ma.
Jeneroux‘s political career began in 2012 when he was elected as an Alberta MLA as a Progressive Conservative in the riding of Edmonton South West.
Jeneroux lost his seat in the 2013 election as part of that province’s stunning “Orange Crush” Alberta NDP upset over the Alberta PCs.
Later that year, Jeneroux won the federal election to represent Edmonton Riverbend for the Conservative Party Canada, winning the next three subsequent elections as a Tory.
Carney crafting majority from defections, not victories
Political commentator and Shift Media partner Stephen Taylor told the Toronto Sun this latest defection demonstrates Carney is doing everything he can to delay judgement on a number of recent big policy announcements.
“Prediction markets have now plunged on the question of a federal election before July — now we may not get one this year,” he said.
“The Prime Minister has been too busy talking up his plans without any evidence of implementation,” he said. “Canadians are starting to notice, so Carney is poaching MPs rather than trying to win a majority mandate.”
bpassifiume@postmedia.com
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Mark Carney has announced Tory MP Matt Jeneroux we be the latest Conservative MP to cross the floor to the Liberals. Read more.
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