Matt Jeneroux

Last updated

Elizabeth Clement
(m. 2016)
Matt Jeneroux
MP
Jeneroux Matt Cropped.jpg
Jeneroux in 2019
Member of Parliament
for Edmonton Riverbend
Assumed office
October 19, 2015
Preceded by Brad Vis
Succeeded by Scott Aitchison
Children2
Alma mater University of Alberta (BA)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • teacher

Matthew James Arthur Jeneroux (born 1980 or 1981 [2] ) is a Canadian politician who has served as the member of Parliament (MP) for Edmonton Riverbend since 2015. A member of the Liberal Party, Jeneroux was elected as a Conservative in the 2015 federal election and crossed the floor to the Liberals in 2026.

Contents

He previously served as a Progressive Conservative (PC) member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta (MLA), representing Edmonton-South West from 2012 to 2015.

Provincial politics (2012–2015)

Jeneroux was first elected to the provincial assembly in the 2012 provincial election. In spring 2013, one year after being elected, he introduced a private member's bill entitled Compassionate Care Leave Legislation (Bill 203). The bill has gone through royal assent and provides a leave of absence for an employee from their employer while taking care of a terminally ill family member.[ citation needed ]

In just three years, he had two of his motions pass unanimously in the legislature. First, to provide support for playgrounds when new schools for young families are built in the province of Alberta. He also urged the provincial government to conduct a review of the childcare policy in the province. [5] He chaired the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices. [6] He was defeated in the 2015 provincial election by Alberta NDP candidate Thomas Dang.

He also chaired the Capital Region Caucus Youth Secretariat and was a member of the Alberta Treasury Board committee. In addition, he chaired Results Based Budgeting for Environment and Resource Stewardship, chaired Results Based Budgeting for Wellness, was a member of the Public Accounts Committee, co-chaired the Alberta Film Advisory Council, and chaired the Government of Alberta's Youth Advisory Panel.

In 2018, Jeneroux was named the co-chair of the United Conservative Party Annual General Meeting in Red Deer, Alberta. [7]

Federal politics (2015–present)

Jeneroux has also been a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, [8] a Member of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, vice-chair on the Standing Committee for Industry, a member of the Standing Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Health and currently serves on International Trade committee.[ needs update ]

Health Shadow Minister

As a federal MP, Jeneroux was the Conservative Party of Canada Shadow Minister for Health. [9]

As Health Canada Shadow Minister, Jeneroux received praise for being the first to raise concerns in Parliament on the urgency of COVID-19 and lack of preparedness of the Public Health Agency of Canada. [10] He has also sought to have Dr. Bruce Aylward from the World Health Organization appear before the Parliamentary committee responsible for investigating Canada's response to COVID-19. [11]

Jeneroux also announced his private member's bill, the federal expansion of Compassionate Care Leave. This bill built off the previous work from Jeneroux's provincial private member's bill at the national level. [12]

Infrastructure Shadow Minister

Jeneroux has served previously as the Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Communities & Urban Affairs. As Infrastructure Canada Shadow Minister, Jeneroux has also been one of the fiercest critics of Canada's Infrastructure Bank, going so far as calling for its cancellation. He did so publicly in an article published in the Financial Post where he calls it an outright failure of the Trudeau Liberals. [13]

Innovation Shadow Minister

Jeneroux served in the role as Shadow Minister for Innovation, Science and Economic Development [14] and as Shadow Minister of Science. Jeneroux was critical of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development in the press in calling for his government's long-awaited Space Strategy. [15]

Previously, under Rona Ambrose, he served in the Shadow Cabinet as the Official Opposition Critic for Western Economic Diversification. [16]

It was during this time that Jeneroux was named co-chair of the Alberta Jobs Task Force, a federal Conservative caucus initiative that will collect information from Albertans affected by the current economic situation and produce a report to be tabled in the House of Commons. [17]

In this role, Jeneroux tabled a motion to promote the use of geothermal technology for the use in orphan and abandoned oil wells in western Canada. His motion, with support from the geothermal industry, called on the Government of Canada to examine ways to reduce the legislative burden of using geothermal technology within Canada. [18]

During the 43rd Canadian Parliament, Jeneroux's private member's bill, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (bereavement leave) (Bill C-220), was adopted with all-party support to extend bereavement leave from 5 to 10 days and entitle employees already on compassionate care leave to also claim bereavement leave. [19]

Floor-crossing

On November 6, 2025, Jeneroux announced his intention to resign as a member of Parliament in the spring of 2026. [20] The news came the same week that the Liberal government released its budget, and that fellow Conservative MP Chris d'Entremont crossed the floor to the Liberal Party. Jeneroux said "It was not an easy decision, but it is, I believe, the right one." [21] [22] [23] Jeneroux denied that coercion played a role in his resignation. [24] Following his announcement, Jeneroux did not appear in the House of Commons. [25] He also declared that he would donate his parliamentary salary to Edmonton-area charities. [26]

On February 18, 2026, Jeneroux crossed the floor to the Liberal Party and announced he would not be resigning from the House of Commons. [25] Jeneroux cited Mark Carney's Davos speech as the reason he decided to stay on and work with the government. [27] He became the third Conservative MP to defect to the Liberals during the 45th Parliament after d'Entremont and Michael Ma. Carney also appointed Jeneroux as his special advisor on economic and security partnerships. [25]

Recognition

After founding the Hi Dad Foundation for men's mental health in 2022, Jeneroux was awarded the CAMIMH Champions of Mental Health Award in the Parliamentarian category in 2024. [28]

Jeneroux was a recipient of both the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, [29] the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 and the King’s Coronation medal in 2024. [30]

In both 2016 and 2017, Jeneroux was voted one of the top "up-and-comers” in Parliament in an annual readership poll by The Hill Times . [31] [32]

Personal life

Jeneroux is married to surgeon Elizabeth Clement and has two children. His family resides in Victoria, British Columbia. [33] [34] [35] [36] [37]

Electoral history

Federal

2025 Canadian federal election : Edmonton Riverbend
PartyCandidateVotes%±%Expenditures
Conservative Matt Jeneroux 30,34350.25+4.81
Liberal Mark Minenko 27,07544.82+19.89
New Democratic Susan Cake2,5634.24–20.19
People's Dwayne Dudiak4100.68–3.34
Total valid votes/expense limit60,391
Total rejected ballots431
Turnout60,82270.70
Eligible voters85,400
Conservative notional hold Swing –7.54
Source: Elections Canada [38] [39]
2021 Canadian federal election : Edmonton Riverbend
PartyCandidateVotes%±%Expenditures
Conservative Matt Jeneroux 25,70245.15-12.29$84,631.64
Liberal Tariq Chaudary14,16924.89+1.93$44,524.84
New Democratic Shawn Gray14,15424.86+9.6$7,582.76
People's Jennifer Peace2,1423.76+2.36$0.00
Green Melanie Hoffman7611.34-1.6$0.00
Total valid votes/expense limit56,928100.00$115,640.64
Total rejected ballots312
Turnout57,24066.13%
Eligible voters86,560
Conservative hold Swing -7.11
Source: Elections Canada [40] [41]
2019 Canadian federal election : Edmonton Riverbend
PartyCandidateVotes%±%Expenditures
Conservative Matt Jeneroux 35,12657.44+7.56$74,475.33
Liberal Tariq Chaudary14,03822.96-7.23$84,578.55
New Democratic Audrey Redman9,33215.26-1.79$2,918.70
Green Valerie Kennedy1,7972.94+0.73none listed
People's Kevin Morris8551.40-$0.00
Total valid votes/expense limit61,14899.46
Total rejected ballots3290.54+0.23
Turnout61,47770.42+0.03
Eligible voters87,305
Conservative hold Swing +7.39
Source: Elections Canada [42] [43]
2015 Canadian federal election : Edmonton Riverbend
PartyCandidateVotes%±%Expenditures
Conservative Matt Jeneroux 28,80549.89-9.49$126,240.74
Liberal Tariq Chaudary17,42830.18+15.69$62,340.29
New Democratic Brian Fleck9,84617.05-4.12$44,795.24
Green Valerie Kennedy1,2752.21-2.75$6,040.67
Libertarian Steven Lack3860.67$500.00
Total valid votes/expense limit57,74099.69 $216,148.06
Total rejected ballots1780.31
Turnout57,91870.38
Eligible voters82,290
Conservative hold Swing -12.59
Source: Elections Canada [44] [45]

Provincial

2015 Alberta general election : Edmonton-South West
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
New Democratic Thomas Dang 12,35254.41%45.89%
Progressive Conservative Matt Jeneroux 6,31627.82%-28.64%
Wildrose Cole Kander2,29010.09%-7.93%
Liberal Rudy Arcilla1,1995.28%-9.67%
Alberta Party Krishna Tailor5432.39%0.35%
Total22,700
Rejected, spoiled and declined813521
Eligible electors / turnout41,23055.30%3.99%
New Democratic gain from Progressive Conservative Swing -5.93%
Source(s)
Source: "44 - Edmonton-South West, 2015 Alberta general election". officialresults.elections.ab.ca. Elections Alberta . Retrieved May 21, 2020.
Chief Electoral Officer (2016). 2015 General Election. A Report of the Chief Electoral Officer (PDF) (Report). Edmonton, Alta.: Elections Alberta.
2012 Alberta general election : Edmonton-South West
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Progressive Conservative Matt Jeneroux 8,50256.47%
Wildrose Alliance Allan Hunsperger2,71318.02%
Liberal Rudy Arcilla2,25114.95%
New Democratic Muriel Stanley Venne 1,2838.52%
Alberta Party Bryan Peacock3082.05%
Total15,057
Rejected, spoiled and declined75423
Eligible electors / turnout29,49351.32%
Progressive Conservative pickup new district.
Source(s)
Source: "44 - Edmonton-South West, 2012 Alberta general election". officialresults.elections.ab.ca. Elections Alberta . Retrieved May 21, 2020.
Chief Electoral Officer (2012). The Report of the Chief Electoral Officer on the 2011 Provincial Enumeration and Monday, April 23, 2012 Provincial General Election of the Twenty-eighth Legislative Assembly (PDF) (Report). Edmonton, Alta.: Elections Alberta. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.

References

  1. "Jeneroux appointed special advisor on economic and security partnerships". Youtube. CBC News: The National. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Matt Jeneroux. "Matt Jeneroux on Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply".
  3. Keith Gerein (October 5, 2015). "Riding profile: Edmonton-Riverbend".
  4. "Mr. Matt Jeneroux, M.P." Library of Parliament . 2020.
  5. "Matt Urges Affordable Childcare Review in Alberta Legislature". mattjeneroux.ca. Archived from the original on December 25, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  6. Archer, John (February 16, 2015). "Alberta auditor general budget vote lurches into uncharted territory". CBC News. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  7. Braid, Don (May 4, 2018). "A mammoth policy meeting where Kenney won't talk policy". Calgary Herald. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  8. McGregor, Janyce (January 30, 2016). "Meet the Commons committees of the 42nd Parliament". CBC News. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  9. "NEWS RELEASE: MP Matt Jeneroux named Shadow Minister of Health | Matt Jeneroux".
  10. "From apathy to panic: timeline of Canada's battle against COVID-19". Edmonton Journal.
  11. Tumilty, Ryan (May 2020). "MPs issue rare summons of WHO doctor Bruce Aylward to appear before house committee". National Post.
  12. "Tory MP to use early turn introducing legislation to expand compassionate care leave - iPolitics". February 5, 2020.
  13. "What has Trudeau's Infrastructure Bank achieved? A recycled loan and millions in expenses". Financial Post. December 4, 2018.
  14. Rabson, Mia (June 12, 2018). "Andrew Scheer Removes Maxime Bernier From Role As Innovation Critic". Huffington Post. The Canadian Press. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  15. Turnbull, Sarah (June 13, 2018). "Space group takes to the Hill after Canada drops major NASA project". iPolitics. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  16. "Conservatives Announce Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet and Critics". conservative.ca. November 20, 2015. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  17. "Conservatives launch Alberta Jobs Taskforce". Peace River Record Gazette. October 5, 2016. Archived from the original on October 24, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  18. Johnston, Scott (March 22, 2017). "Using abandoned oil wells for geothermal on Edmonton MPs federal budget 2017 wish list". Global News. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  19. Pinkerton, Charlie (July 6, 2021). "How the 43rd Parliament changed Canada's laws". IPolitics.
  20. "Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux announces resignation from Parliament". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. November 6, 2025.
  21. Ryan Tumilty; Raisa Patel (November 7, 2025). "Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux announces resignation as budget votes loom". Toronto Star. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  22. "Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux resigns, second to leave caucus this week". The Globe and Mail. November 6, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  23. "Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux resigns from House of Commons ahead of budget vote". Global News. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  24. Ha, Stephanie (November 7, 2025). "Conservative MP says he's resigning next spring, denies 'coercion' involved in decision". CTVNews. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  25. 1 2 3 Tunney, Catherine (February 18, 2026). "Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux joins Liberal caucus: Carney". CBC News . Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  26. https://mattjeneroux.ca/mp-jeneroux-to-donate-salary-to-local-charities/
  27. Gowling, Jordan; Taylor, Stephanie (February 18, 2026). "Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux crosses the floor to the Liberals". National Post . Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  28. "Tory MP Jeneroux to be fêted as mental-health champion, discuss mental well-being in Parliament on Oct. 10". The Hill Times . October 9, 2024.
  29. "The Diamond Jubilee Medal". Governor General of Canada. June 11, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  30. https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. Rana, Abbas; Foster, Ally (December 19, 2016). "Trudeau voted most valuable politician in 2016, despite some political setbacks: The Hill Times' 20th Annual All Politics Poll". Hill Times . Ottawa, Ontario. Retrieved April 11, 2024.(subscription required)
  32. Lim, Jolson (December 18, 2017). "Trudeau voted most valuable politician in 2017, Morneau ranked top news story in 21st Annual All Politics Poll: Best & Worst in Politics". Hill Times . Ottawa, Ontario. Retrieved April 11, 2024.(subscription required)
  33. Gowling, Jordan; Taylor, Stephanie (February 18, 2026). "Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux crosses the floor to the Liberals". National Journal.
  34. "2. Key Critics Biographies". Transport Canada. September 26, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  35. "LILLEY: As Conservatives lose MP Matt Jeneroux, Canada's finances burn". Yahoo News. November 7, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  36. Shane, Kristen (September 7, 2025). "A brief history of naughty words said in the House". The Hill Times. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  37. "Elizabeth Clement". The Hill Times. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  38. "Voter information service". Elections Canada. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  39. "Election Night Results - Electoral Districts". Elections Canada. April 29, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  40. "September 20, 2021 Election Results — Edmonton Manning (Validated results)". Elections Canada. September 26, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  41. "List of confirmed candidates – September 20, 2021 Federal Election". Elections Canada . Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  42. "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  43. "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  44. "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. February 29, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  45. Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates