A wave of disapproval met Acadie-Annapolis MP Chris d’Entremont during a Remembrance Day service in Annapolis Royal. The public display of discontent unfolded as he laid a wreath, a moment intended for quiet reflection and solemn respect.
The immediate reaction stemmed from a recent political shift. Just a week prior, d’Entremont had crossed the floor in the House of Commons, abandoning his Conservative seat to join the Liberal caucus – a decision that clearly ignited strong feelings within his constituency.
The initial jeers began even before the service commenced, as d’Entremont used the restroom at the Royal Canadian Legion. He’d hoped the ceremony itself would be shielded from such overt displays of opposition, but that hope proved tragically misplaced.
“I just sort of under my breath said, ‘Not the place for it,’” d’Entremont recalled, his voice reflecting the weight of the moment. “This is a solemn event.” The sound of the boos, directed at him during a tribute to fallen heroes, was a jarring intrusion.
Angela Amero, president of the Legion Branch 21, swiftly condemned the behavior. At least three individuals had actively heckled the MP while he honored veterans, an act she deemed utterly unacceptable within the Legion’s walls.
Amero’s statement was a powerful rebuke. She expressed profound disappointment, stating that those who booed had “ruined the day” dedicated to remembering sacrifices made for the very freedoms they exercised through their protest.
She emphasized the fundamental inappropriateness of injecting political discord into a sacred ceremony. A Remembrance Day service, she asserted, is a time for unity and remembrance, not partisan division and disrespect.
D’Entremont himself expressed deep regret that his presence had inadvertently disrupted the solemnity of the occasion. He felt responsible for bringing the political tension into a space meant for collective mourning and gratitude.
He had explained his decision to leave the Conservative caucus as a response to pervasive negativity, acknowledging it wasn’t a universally popular move but believing it was the right one. He’d welcomed dialogue, but not in the form of disrespectful outbursts.
Surprisingly, the incident sparked a counter-reaction. An outpouring of support followed the boos, with many expressing disgust at the hecklers’ behavior and reaffirming their confidence in d’Entremont’s judgment.
Despite the controversy, d’Entremont remains resolute in his decision. He noted that much of the criticism originated from those aligned with the party he’d left, only strengthening his conviction that he’d chosen the correct path.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the passionate emotions surrounding political choices, and the importance of maintaining respect, even – and especially – during moments of profound national remembrance.
