Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux joins Liberal caucus: Carney

Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux has joined the Liberal caucus, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on social media Wednesday.

This is the third Conservative the Liberals have picked up, starting with Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont in November and Toronto-area MP Michael Ma in December, though the party still sits shy of a majority.

According to Carney's itinerary, he and Jeneroux will meet in Edmonton this morning.

It was rumoured last fall that Jeneroux would defect to the government benches. Instead, the MP for Edmonton Riverbend said he would resign as a member of Parliament.

"For now, my focus must turn entirely to my family and to the responsibilities that come with that," Jeneroux said at the time.

But he had not officially stepped aside. Jeneroux has not been spotted in the House of Commons since and has not voted with the Conservatives.

In a statement, Jeneroux said he had conversations with his family over the holidays.

"Those 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 — which our prime minister addressed head on in his speech at Davos. For Canada, this is a moment that demands steady leadership, constructive collaboration between all parliamentarians," he wrote.

"After further reflection with my family, and conversations with colleagues and constituents, I will be continuing to serve in Parliament — and I will be working with Prime Minister Mark Carney as a part of his new government to help build our country’s strength as we face the challenges ahead."

In his own statement, Carney thanked his newest caucus member, saying Jeneroux said will take on a role as a special adviser on economic and security partnerships.

"Building a stronger, more resilient and more independent country will require ambition, collaboration, and occasionally, sacrifice," he wrote.

"This is a time to come together — and together, we will build a stronger future for Edmonton, Alberta, and all Canadians. "

Jeneroux's floor-crossing brings the Liberals seat count in the House of Commons to 169 Liberal MPs, against the 171 opposition MPs.

There are three vacancies: the seats held by former Liberals Chrystia Freeland and Bill Blair, and the recently vacated Montreal-area riding of Terrebonne, after the Supreme Court of Canada on Friday annulled the results of the closely contested race from last spring's election.