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Keith Leslie, The Canadian Press Published Tuesday, December 16, 2014 10:00AM EST Last Updated Tuesday, December 16, 2014 6:46PM EST

TORONTO -- Federal New Democrats were stunned Tuesday when one of their most well-liked and respected caucus members announced he's quitting to join Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne's Liberal team.

Sudbury MP Glen Thibeault's surprise defection capped what's been a dispiriting couple of years for Tom Mulcair's New Democrats, whose claim to be the government-in-waiting has been usurped by Justin Trudeau's revived Liberal party.

In a statement announcing his intention to run for the provincial Liberals in a soon-to-be-called byelection, Thibeault stressed his belief that he can do more for his constituents as a member of the province's governing party.

He didn't mention the NDP but the implication seemed clear: Thibeault doesn't believe the New Democrats are likely to form the government after next year's federal election.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to serve my community for the past six years at the federal level but my time at the federal level has come to an end," Thibeault said.

"I am excited by the opportunity to continue that representation in a new, exciting way. I believe I can make an even greater difference for the constituents of Sudbury as a member of this Ontario Liberal government."

Late on Tuesday, Thibeault told the CBC's Power and Politics that it was no secret among those who know him that he hasn't "been seeing eye to eye on a lot of the things that have been happening at the federal level and with the NDP."

Thibeault said he told Mulcair on Sunday that he was considering some options, but didn't get a chance to tell him of his decision to jump to the Ontario Liberals before the news became public Tuesday morning, at which point he sent Mulcair an email informing him of his move.

Until recently, Thibeault was chair of the NDP caucus, an elected position that reflected his popularity among his fellow New Democrat MPs. He stepped down two weeks ago, citing the need to spend more time with his young children.

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NDP MP Glenn Thibeault jumping into provincial politics

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CONCORD Republican opposition to House Speaker Shawn Jasper believes it is the real GOP caucus and should set their partys agenda in the House.

At a meeting, called by former Speaker Bill OBrien, R-Mont Vernon, who lost the speakers race to Jasper earlier this month, about 80 to 100 GOP representatives gathered to express their anger and frustration and plan how to proceed.

The group agreed to go forward separately from the official Republican caucus led by Majority Leader Jack Flanagan, R-Brookline, which meets Wednesday, and follow the conservative agenda set by the House Republican Alliance, a conservative group established about 17 years ago.

I am pleased a majority of the Republican caucus will bring forward a conservative agenda a fiscally responsible agenda, OBrien said after the meeting, which was held behind closed doors. I am willing to take on the leadership of this group.

He noted there are a lot of upset Republicans because Jasper worked with Democrats who joined with about 40 to 50 Republicans to make Jasper speaker, after Republicans had already chosen their nominee. (See related column here.)

Rep. Stephen Stepanek, R-Milford, said the group plans to make a proposal at Thursdays rules committee meeting that the elected leader of the Republican caucus, which would be OBrien who received his partys nod as the House Speaker nominee last month, would be named the Majority Leader of the House by the Speaker.

Stepanek said it would be the same arrangement Democrats have, noting Rep. Stephen Shurtleff, D-Concord, who won his partys nomination, was named Minority Leader by Jasper.

The rules committee is chaired by Jasper.

After Tuesdays meeting, OBrien said Whatever happens there (rules committee), we are going to have a leader of the Republican caucus, and that leader will be me.

He noted Jasper said after he was elected, he would serve the entire House and would leave the political agendas to the majority office and minority office.

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