The Canadian political landscape has been thrown into disarray as allegations of undemocratic practices and internal instability plague the Conservative opposition. Matt Jeneroux, a Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) from Alberta, announced his resignation on Thursday, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. However, rumors had previously circulated suggesting he might defect to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party. Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer accused Carney of employing ‘Liberal pressure tactics’ to sway MPs, following Jeneroux’s departure and the earlier defection of another Conservative MP, Chris d’Entremont, to the Liberals. Scheer condemned Carney’s alleged attempts to secure a parliamentary majority through ‘backroom deals and pressure tactics,’ dismissing media reports of meetings between Jeneroux and Carney’s office prior to the resignation. Jeneroux later clarified that his decision was voluntary and not influenced by coercion, emphasizing his commitment to family. Meanwhile, d’Entremont expressed frustration with the Conservative Party’s leadership under Pierre Poilievre, describing it as ‘negative’ and claiming others in the party share his sentiments. Poilievre, who faces a leadership review in January, has been criticized for his combative style, which some blame for the Conservatives’ recent electoral losses. Amid this partisan drama, the Carney government is navigating the passage of its first budget, which requires support from other parties due to the Liberals’ lack of a majority. Failure to pass the budget could trigger a federal election, with lawmakers set to vote in mid-November.
Conservatives accuse Canada’s Carney of being ‘undemocratic’ as MP resigns
