The latest addition to the Liberal party, MP Matt Jeneroux, is set to accompany Prime Minister Mark Carney on a fast-paced trade excursion to India, Australia, and Japan later this week. Formerly a member of the Alberta Conservative party, Jeneroux recently made the switch to the governing Liberals, a surprising move considering his previous intention to exit politics amidst swirling speculation of a potential shift to the Liberal camp.
As part of his new role as “special adviser on economic and security partnerships,” Jeneroux will travel with the prime minister to Mumbai, New Delhi, Sydney, Canberra, and Tokyo, as confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). His return to the House of Commons on Tuesday was marked by his participation in his first question period as a Liberal member.
Joining Jeneroux on the India leg of the journey will be Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, Defence Minister David McGuinty, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu, as well as New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. A smaller team, including Jeneroux, will continue on to Australia and Tokyo.
The move by Jeneroux to switch parties has raised eyebrows, with Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer questioning his commitment to his stated priorities, particularly his decision to leave politics to focus on family matters. Nonetheless, Trade Minister Sidhu emphasized that Jeneroux’s inclusion in the delegation was based on the value he brings to the team and not as a reward for his recent switch.
Jeneroux’s defection to the Liberals marks the third successful recruitment of a Conservative member by the Liberal party in recent months, following Chris d’Entremont and Michael Ma. Carney’s upcoming visit to Australia will also include a historic address to the Australian Parliament, marking the first such instance by a Canadian prime minister in nearly two decades.
Carney’s objective of diversifying Canada’s trade partnerships away from the United States is a central focus of his platform, with the upcoming trip to the Indo-Pacific region aimed at fostering discussions on trade matters. The delegation, led by Carney, is scheduled to depart on Thursday, commencing with engagements in Mumbai before proceeding to Australia and Japan.
