- MacPolitics: Former PC Leader: ‘d’Entremont Still A Dear Friend’
By Andrew Macdonald
In recent weeks, former South Shore MP Rick Perkins suggested floor crosser Chris d’Entremont resign his seat and run in a byelection, after d’Entremont quit the Conservative party caucus and moved to the Carney Liberals.
D’Entremont is the MP for Acadie-Annapolis, and won his seat in last spring’s election by just over 500 votes or 1.1. per cent victory margin.
And, former Conservative Party of Canada president, Rob Batherson, has talked to The Macdonald Notebook, describing feeling “personally betrayed” by d’Entremont.
But, some Tories still consider d’Entremont a “friend”.
Jamie Baillie, former NS Tory leader, still calls d’Entremont “a dear friend”.
Baillie ran as Tory leader in 2013 and 2017.
“I have known Chris as a friend for over 20-years. He was my House leader and sat beside me in the legislature for eight years. He is a dear friend. He is a decent person. He is a loyal person. And, I know he did not come to this decision lightly,” Baillie tells The Macdonald Notebook.
“I am not a big fan of switchers. But, Chris was my friend before, and he continues to be my friend after,” adds Baillie.
Baillie has spoken to d’Entremont since he crossed the floor “a couple of times.”
Asked what kind of mood the MP is in, Baillie says: “I will let Chris speak for himself. I will say the discussions I have had with him were very thoughtful and very heartfelt. I understand he feels this is the right decision for his riding,” says Baillie.
“He is my friend and I am going to stand by him.”
Left, Chris d’Entremont, Guy LeBlanc and Louis Comeau.
