B.C. NDP MP Gord Johns expressed strong confidence that none of the seven New Democrats in the House of Commons will switch allegiance to the Liberals. He stated that he is frequently approached by Liberal members but has consistently declined their overtures. "Oh, that’s an everyday conversation they have with me, and it’s a flat no and they know. That’s been going on for years," Johns said during an interview on CBC's _Rosemary Barton Live_, which aired Sunday morning.

This assertion comes amid heightened speculation on Parliament Hill following two recent departures from the Conservative Party. On Wednesday, Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont left the Conservative caucus to join the Liberals, citing Pierre Poilievre’s "negative" leadership as a key reason for his decision. Just two days later, Alberta Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux announced his resignation, initially sparking rumors that he might also join the Liberals. However, Jeneroux clarified that he is leaving politics entirely and denied that any pressure from the Conservatives influenced his choice.

The political landscape is shifting, particularly as the Liberals are now two seats short of a majority. They are preparing for a crucial confidence vote on the federal budget later this month. The Liberal Party has indicated a willingness to welcome any MPs who support their budget initiatives. Kody Blois, parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister Mark Carney, stated, "We’re open, as the prime minister has said, to any member of Parliament who wants to support a budget that we put forward that is extremely important for Canada in this moment in time."

Johns believes that while the Liberal Party's openness may have attracted d’Entremont, it will not sway New Democrats. He remarked, "It wasn’t a big leap for him to cross over and join the Liberal Party of today because Carney is running on an agenda that I would say is a Progressive Conservative agenda."

Johns emphasized the commitment of the New Democrat MPs, stating, "You look at [our] seven MPs. They are strong social New Democrats. We are dedicated to our cause and our movement."

In response to the recent departures, Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer denied any pressure tactics within the party. He attributed Jeneroux's resignation to external rumors propagated by the Liberals, which he claimed created undue stress for MPs. "When Liberals start putting out rumours that feed a bit of a media frenzy — where all of a sudden people are inundating them with phone calls and messages — that might be a lot for an MP who didn't ask for this aspect of the conversation to turn on him," Scheer explained.

Scheer also addressed d’Entremont's departure, suggesting it stemmed from personal grievances rather than party dynamics. He remarked, "You don't like my videos, Catherine, you don't have to watch them. It seems like a bit of a flimsy reason to make a decision like this."