The narrative surrounding Chris d’Entremont’s departure from the Conservative Party – a tale of a “Red Tory” adrift – doesn’t quite align with the reality. Beneath the surface of principled disagreement lies a story of calculated ambition and a growing resentment over perceived slights.
D’Entremont’s political journey began in Nova Scotia, serving in the provincial legislature for over a decade and eventually rising to the position of Health Minister. He spent years navigating the complexities of provincial politics before setting his sights on the federal stage, a move fueled not by ideological conviction, but by dissatisfaction with the leadership within his own province.
In 2018, facing a new provincial leader, Tim Houston, d’Entremont actively sought a nomination under Andrew Scheer, then the federal Conservative leader. This wasn’t a shift towards conservatism; it was a strategic maneuver. Scheer represented a stark contrast to Houston, offering d’Entremont a more favorable political landscape and a clearer path to power.
The claim that d’Entremont couldn’t find a place in Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Party rings hollow. Both Scheer and Poilievre share fiscal conservatism, and Poilievre lacks the strong social conservative stance that defined d’Entremont’s own beliefs. The issue wasn’t ideological incompatibility, but something far more personal.
Another explanation offered for his departure centered on a lack of support within the party, specifically being passed over for a Deputy Speaker role. While true, this was merely a symptom of a deeper issue – d’Entremont’s relentless pursuit of the Speaker’s position, a role laden with prestige and a substantial financial benefit.
The Speaker’s position isn’t just about parliamentary procedure; it’s a significant pay raise – over $100,000 annually – coupled with perks like a car, a driver, and access to luxurious residences. D’Entremont, according to colleagues, openly discussed using the position to maximize his pension, a goal he achieved just last October.
His ambition wasn’t a secret. Before the last election, he openly discussed his desire to secure his pension and then leverage the Speaker’s salary to further enhance it. This frankness, as one Conservative MP noted, was jarring – a blatant acknowledgment of self-interest that raised eyebrows within the party.
The party leadership’s reluctance to support his Speaker bid stemmed from a previous, disastrous attempt. When Anthony Rota resigned, d’Entremont approached Poilievre with a compelling pitch, securing the leader’s support and the full resources of his office.
Poilievre’s team mobilized, making calls and lobbying MPs to vote for d’Entremont in the secret ballot. Yet, despite the effort, d’Entremont failed to secure enough votes, revealing a critical flaw: he hadn’t bothered to build a base of support beforehand. He lacked a call sheet, hadn’t engaged in the necessary groundwork, and ultimately, failed to deliver.
The loss to Greg Fergus was a blow, but it wasn’t the ideological rejection portrayed in the media. It was a demonstration of d’Entremont’s inability to translate ambition into action. After being overlooked for the Deputy Speaker role, he was overheard vowing retribution, a clear indication of simmering resentment.
His decision to cross the floor wasn’t a slow drift towards liberalism; it was a calculated act of defiance, born from bitterness and the frustration of thwarted ambition. It wasn’t about principle, but about a perceived betrayal and a desire to punish those who hadn’t supported his ascent.
The story of Chris d’Entremont is a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked ambition and the corrosive power of resentment. It’s a reminder that political decisions are often driven by personal motivations, hidden agendas, and the relentless pursuit of power, rather than lofty ideals.
