Tag

floor crossing

6 articles

Press ReviewApril 22, 20266 min read
How the Press Covered the Floor-Crossings: One Story Became Two
Between November 2025 and April 2026, four Conservative MPs crossed the floor to the Liberals. The Canadian press covered it in roughly two incompatible stories: the wire-desk story (seat counts, procedural) and the op-ed story (democratic legitimacy). The split does not map cleanly onto outlet politics. Local papers diverged inside the same riding. By the fourth crossing, the frame had shifted from "why did this MP move" to "why does this keep happening" — a reframing the op-ed pages led and the news desks followed.
AccountabilityApril 19, 20265 min read
Chris d’Entremont Won by 533 Votes as a Conservative. Six Months Later, He Was a Liberal — and Democracy Watch Filed an Ethics Complaint.
On November 4, 2025 — the morning of the federal budget — Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont became the first Conservative to cross to Mark Carney’s Liberals, six months after winning re-election by 533 votes on the Conservative ticket. Within ten days, the watchdog group Democracy Watch filed a formal complaint with the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, arguing that d’Entremont’s loss of his Deputy Speaker salary top-up created a financial motive that warranted investigation under the Conflict of Interest Code. The Commissioner declined to investigate.
AccountabilityApril 19, 20265 min read
Nine Days Before Joining the Liberals, Michael Ma Called Them "Team Feudalism" in Parliament
Conservative MP Michael Ma crossed the floor to Mark Carney’s Liberals on December 11, 2025 — nine days after a Hansard speech in which he attacked the Liberal record on housing, productivity, and economic governance, calling them "team feudalism." He has since admitted he was "truly a Conservative" at the Conservative Christmas party the night before he crossed. A constituent petition calling for his resignation has reportedly gathered tens of thousands of signatures.
AccountabilityApril 19, 20265 min read
In November, Matt Jeneroux Resigned Citing Family. In February, He Crossed the Floor Instead.
On November 6, 2025, Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux announced he was resigning from Parliament, telling constituents there was "no coercion" involved and that his focus needed to be on his family. On February 18, 2026, he reversed course, kept the Edmonton Riverbend seat his constituents had elected him to as a Conservative, and crossed the floor to the Liberals. Within weeks he was named a Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Economic and Security Partnerships and joined Mark Carney on a trip to India, Australia, and Japan.
AccountabilityApril 19, 20265 min read
Marilyn Gladu Endorsed Byelections for Floor-Crossers in January. In April, She Crossed the Floor.
On January 11, 2026, Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu told a local newspaper she supported a petition calling for automatic byelections when MPs switch parties, saying voters "deserve a chance to have a redo." On April 8, 2026, she crossed the floor to the Liberals herself. Sarnia-Lambton’s mayor and the local Conservative riding association president have publicly called for her to face a byelection. She has not.
AccountabilityApril 15, 20266 min read
How the Liberals Built a Majority Without Winning One
Between November 2025 and April 2026, four Conservative MPs crossed the floor to join the Liberal caucus. Combined with three byelection victories, these crossings gave the Liberals a working majority in the House of Commons — without a general election. An Angus Reid poll found 74% of Canadians believe floor-crossing MPs should be required to run in a byelection.

How the Press Covered the Floor-Crossings: One Story Became Two

Between November 2025 and April 2026, four Conservative MPs crossed the floor to the Liberals. The Canadian press covered it in roughly two incompatible stories: the wire-desk story (seat counts, procedural) and the op-ed story (democratic legitimacy). The split does not map cleanly onto outlet politics. Local papers diverged inside the same riding. By the fourth crossing, the frame had shifted from "why did this MP move" to "why does this keep happening" — a reframing the op-ed pages led and the news desks followed.

Chris d’Entremont Won by 533 Votes as a Conservative. Six Months Later, He Was a Liberal — and Democracy Watch Filed an Ethics Complaint.

On November 4, 2025 — the morning of the federal budget — Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont became the first Conservative to cross to Mark Carney’s Liberals, six months after winning re-election by 533 votes on the Conservative ticket. Within ten days, the watchdog group Democracy Watch filed a formal complaint with the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, arguing that d’Entremont’s loss of his Deputy Speaker salary top-up created a financial motive that warranted investigation under the Conflict of Interest Code. The Commissioner declined to investigate.

Nine Days Before Joining the Liberals, Michael Ma Called Them "Team Feudalism" in Parliament

Conservative MP Michael Ma crossed the floor to Mark Carney’s Liberals on December 11, 2025 — nine days after a Hansard speech in which he attacked the Liberal record on housing, productivity, and economic governance, calling them "team feudalism." He has since admitted he was "truly a Conservative" at the Conservative Christmas party the night before he crossed. A constituent petition calling for his resignation has reportedly gathered tens of thousands of signatures.

In November, Matt Jeneroux Resigned Citing Family. In February, He Crossed the Floor Instead.

On November 6, 2025, Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux announced he was resigning from Parliament, telling constituents there was "no coercion" involved and that his focus needed to be on his family. On February 18, 2026, he reversed course, kept the Edmonton Riverbend seat his constituents had elected him to as a Conservative, and crossed the floor to the Liberals. Within weeks he was named a Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Economic and Security Partnerships and joined Mark Carney on a trip to India, Australia, and Japan.

Marilyn Gladu Endorsed Byelections for Floor-Crossers in January. In April, She Crossed the Floor.

On January 11, 2026, Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu told a local newspaper she supported a petition calling for automatic byelections when MPs switch parties, saying voters "deserve a chance to have a redo." On April 8, 2026, she crossed the floor to the Liberals herself. Sarnia-Lambton’s mayor and the local Conservative riding association president have publicly called for her to face a byelection. She has not.

How the Liberals Built a Majority Without Winning One

Between November 2025 and April 2026, four Conservative MPs crossed the floor to join the Liberal caucus. Combined with three byelection victories, these crossings gave the Liberals a working majority in the House of Commons — without a general election. An Angus Reid poll found 74% of Canadians believe floor-crossing MPs should be required to run in a byelection.