Prime minister Mark Carney got one step closer to a majority parliament yesterday as Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux formally crossed the floor, weeks after he said he would resign after floor-crossing discussions happened, and there have been rumours of threats. There is some irony in this development—Pierre Poilievre insisted that Jeneroux not resign immediately, but that it not become official until sometime in the spring, and Jeneroux simply absented himself from the Commons and from votes, and because he had not formally resigned as he might have at the time, it meant he still had a seat to cross the floor with. Oops. Jeneroux says that what changed his mind was Carney’s speech in Davos, and also made mention of a “national unity crisis,” and that he couldn’t sit on the sidelines. So that’s something. Also, Carney has bestowed upon him the title of “special advisor on economic and security partnerships,” but apparently this is not paid or a retitled parliamentary secretary position like Chrystia Freeland’s special advisor role was before she resigned.

Well. I guess Jeneroux has reconsidered his retirement. That statement:

— Dale Smith (@journodale.bsky.social) 2026-02-18T15:33:27.661Z

JENEROUX: "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 PM Carney as a part of his new government to help build our country's strength as we face the challenges ahead."

— Scott Robertson (@sarobertson.bsky.social) 2026-02-18T15:48:31.398Z

This, naturally, led to the usual bouts of hand-wringing and accusations of betrayal from the Conservatives, and the usual nonsense lines that Canadians had somehow voted against a majority parliament (not government—government is government, regardless if they have a majority of seats or not in the legislature), because that simply doesn’t happen. Canadians vote for a single representative, and that’s it. They don’t vote for the configuration of the Chamber, and they because they vote for the individual, that individual also gets to make the choice of whether or not to stay in the party that they were elected with, because that choice is sacrosanct in our system, no matter what anyone tells you.

It's going well.

— Dale Smith (@journodale.bsky.social) 2026-02-18T16:48:36.623Z

And the reactions? Well, former MP Rick Perkins tweeted that MPs should live in the province and community they represent, but well, that would disqualify his party’s deputy leader Tim Uppal (who made a song and dance about living in Ottawa and not Edmonton and declared he would not move back there if elected), and yes, Poilievre himself, but I am willing to give that one latitude because as opposition leader, he lives in Stornoway. But still. Perkins quickly deleted that tweet. Another unnamed former MP and two other sources in the Conservative party each told the Hill Times that ““Pierre Poilievre has become the Justin Trudeau of the Conservative Party,” which is absolutely hilarious.

Has anyone told Tim Uppal about this rule?

— Dale Smith (@journodale.bsky.social) 2026-02-18T17:22:45.316Z

Matt Jeneroux leaves Conservative party after being too intimidated by Poilievre's workout regime

— The Beaverton (@thebeaverton.com) 2026-02-18T18:37:31.796Z

— Effin' Birds (@effinbirds.com) 2026-02-18T14:25:04.438Z

Ukraine Dispatch

Ukraine has been able to reduce some electricity imports as the weather improves. The former head of the military is talking more about his rift with Zelenskyy.

Good reads:

• Dominic LeBlanc says he will be meeting with Trump’s trade representative in the coming weeks about the NAFTA review.
• The Express Entry immigration programme is being extended for certain skilled employment categories (while we can’t get a coherent message on immigration).
• Arbitration has resolved the labour dispute at Air Canada regarding flight attendants’ wages.
• A report from a former CSIS analyst suggests that CSIS should do more security checks for immigrants from China because of transnational repression.
• The Canadian Superior Court Judges Association wants the Supreme Court to settle the issue of their demanded pay increase that the government rejected.
• There are concerns about Carney holding closed-door fundraisers, which are a step back from the greater transparency under Trudeau.
• Here is more about the coming by-election in Terrebonne, which could be the most critical for Carney getting his majority.
• Philippe Lagassé points to the opportunities for post-secondary institutions within the defence industrial strategy—provided that they can be sufficiently funded.
• Althia Raj wonders what’s next for the Conservatives after three defections, one MP leaving the last caucus meeting in a fit, and Jivani’s freelancing.

Odds and ends:

You don’t “open” the Overton Window. But it’s interesting that they’d admit they’re trying to shift it toward white nationalism.

— Alex Boutilier (@alexboutilier.bsky.social) 2026-02-18T22:16:44.904Z

Those people were always kidding themselves.And Conservatives were kidding themselves when they thought they could get the "good parts only" version of right-wing populism.

— Dale Smith (@journodale.bsky.social) 2026-02-19T04:15:38.530Z

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