Floor crossing comes after reflection about ‘gravity of the moment’: Jeneroux

Edmonton Riverbend MP Matt Jeneroux is joining the Liberals instead of stepping down like he planned to last year. Miriam Valdes-Carletti reports.

Conservative Edmonton MP Matt Jeneroux said Wednesday his decision to join Mark Carney’s Liberals is the result of conversations with his family about how to “best be there for each other and stand up for the country that we all love.”

“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,” read a statement Jeneroux posted to social media shortly after his floor crossing was announced by the prime minister.

He said Canada faces “unprecedented new global pressures on our prosperity, and accelerated threats to our sovereignty and unity.”

Citing Carney’s keynote address at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, he added the moment “demands steady leadership, constructive collaboration between all Parliamentarians, and a willingness to stand up and serve even when the path is not easy.”

According to the prime minister’s public itinerary, Carney will meet with his newest caucus member in Edmonton Wednesday morning before heading to B.C.

Jeneroux is the third Conservative MP to cross the floor in as many months.

He has represented Edmonton-Riverbend in Ottawa for a decade.

Some residents in his constituency had positive reactions to Jeneroux’s move to the Liberals.

“I’m actually quite pleased,” said Rod MacGregor. “I think it’s good for Alberta in that I think we also have to have representation in government. I’m excited with the hope that Jeneroux could actually bring a Liberal scene to Alberta.”

Edmonton-Riverbend constituent Chris Feng said he believes politicians should represent those in their riding, not just their party.

“Things have been very polarized over the years, and I would like to see politicians get back to representing their entire ridings,” Feng told CTV News Edmonton.

Mayor Andrew Knack also expressed enthusiasm for the floor-crossing, saying it means there is one more Edmonton voice at the caucus table.

“That’s really important for our city ... to have that additional Edmonton voice at the table advocating for our city is great news,” Knack said at a press conference Wednesday.

But not everyone was enthused.

“The man is a coward. He’s a liar,” said Nathan Schmidt, who voted Conservative in the last federal election. “Especially in the situation we’ve got in Ottawa where it’s a minority government. It’s disgusting.”

In November, amid speculation he was about to cross the floor, Jeneroux announced his resignation as MP.

His move to the Liberals eliminates the need for a byelection in the spring.

In his statement Wednesday, Jeneroux promised his constituents, “I will continue the work that Canadians and the people of Edmonton Riverbend elected me to do: building a strong economy, bringing down costs, and making our country more secure. This will support the national stability that Albertans and all Canadians need more than ever before.”

With files from CTV News’ Spencer Van Dyk and CTV News Edmonton’s Miriam Valdes-Carletti