More than 300 MPs have crossed the floor in Parliament since Confederation

OTTAWA - Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont surprised many on Tuesday when he left the Conservative caucus to join the Liberals, bringing the government caucus to within two votes of a majority.

While switching parties between elections — a practice known as floor crossing referring to physically crossing the floor of the House of Commons to sit with a different caucus — is a controversial practice. More than 300 members of Parliament have changed parties while in office since 1867.