Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Sudbury East-Manitoulin-Nickel Belt, Jim Bélanger, addressed rumors regarding his political allegiance in a recent video posted on his Facebook profile. Bélanger unequivocally stated that he has no intention of defecting to the Carney Liberals and emphasized that any speculation suggesting otherwise is baseless. He reassured his constituents that he was elected as a Conservative member, will remain a Conservative, and plans to run as a Conservative in the upcoming election.
Recently, two Conservative MPs switched sides to join the Liberal Party. Chris d’Entremont from Acadie-Annapolis made the move in November, followed by Michael Ma from Markham-Unionville in December. As a result, the federal Liberals now lack just one MP to secure a majority government.
According to David Tabachnick, a political science professor at Nipissing University, the shift in some Conservatives towards the Liberals can be attributed to the party’s more centrist approach under Mark Carney’s leadership compared to the right-leaning stance of Pierre Poilievre. Tabachnick noted that while Bélanger has affirmed his loyalty to the Conservatives, he anticipates more floor-crossing incidents in 2026, potentially altering the balance of power in Parliament.
Tabachnick highlighted the appeal for MPs to join the governing party, enabling them to influence legislation and steer the country’s direction. He refrained from speculating on specific MPs likely to switch allegiances but suggested that the allure of governing may entice some individuals in the coming year.
