Carney Nears Majority as Another Conservative Crosses Floor, Shifting Canada's Political Landscape
By David Ljunggren and Maria Cheng
OTTAWA, April 8 (Reuters) — Prime Minister Mark Carney's minority government moved to the brink of a parliamentary majority on Wednesday after a veteran Conservative lawmaker crossed the floor to join the ruling Liberals, marking a significant realignment in Canadian politics and easing the path for Carney's policy agenda.
The defection of Marilyn Gladu, a long-serving member of the right-leaning Conservatives, gives the centrist Liberals 171 seats in the 343-seat House of Commons—just one short of the 172 needed for a working majority. With at least two more seats expected to be filled in upcoming by-elections, Carney appears set to govern without relying on opposition votes for the first time since the 2025 election produced a hung parliament.
"At a time of global economic uncertainty and challenging trade relations, we need a stable government with a clear mandate," Gladu said during a joint appearance with Carney. "I believe Prime Minister Carney is the leader with the plan to build a more resilient and self-reliant Canada."
Her move is the fourth defection from the Conservative caucus to the Liberals since November, following a New Democratic Party member's switch last month. Political historians note that only the governments of Sir John A. Macdonald and Jean Chrétien have witnessed more legislators crossing the aisle in Canada's history.
Carney welcomed the addition, framing it as a step toward greater stability. "In the face of protectionist measures from the United States and volatile global markets, a clear parliamentary majority will allow us to act decisively in the national interest," the Prime Minister stated, alluding to ongoing trade tensions with the Trump administration.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre condemned the move as an undemocratic power grab. "Mark Carney is seizing a costly majority that voters explicitly denied him," Poilievre said in a sharply worded statement. "These backroom deals betray the electorate. Marilyn Gladu should immediately resign and face her constituents in a by-election."
The defections have exposed deepening fissures within the Conservative Party, which is still regrouping after its unexpected 2025 election loss under Poilievre's leadership. Recent Nanos polling shows Carney as the preferred choice of 54.5% of Canadians, compared to 22.9% for Poilievre.
According to Semra Sevi, a political science professor at the University of Toronto, the pace of party switching in the modern era is "without precedent." "In the 19th century, party labels were fluid. Today, such a rapid cluster of defections to a sitting government is extraordinary and signals a profound political recalculation," Sevi noted.
A majority would secure Carney's government until the scheduled October 2029 election, providing a lengthy runway for his economic and climate policies.
Reaction from Readers:
Michael T., Political Analyst, Ottawa: "This isn't just about numbers; it's a strategic collapse for Poilievre. Gladu's defection suggests a segment of the Conservative base sees Carney's centrist pragmatism as the only viable response to current global pressures."
Sarah Chen, Small Business Owner, Vancouver: "Finally, some stability! The minority parliament was causing paralysis on key issues like infrastructure and trade. A majority government can actually plan for the long term, which is what our economy needs."
Gregory P., Former Party Volunteer, Calgary: "This is a disgraceful betrayal of democratic principles. These MPs were elected under one banner and are now switching sides without a mandate. It makes a mockery of our electoral system and shows Carney's 'unity' pitch is just a cover for cynical power consolidation."
Dr. Aliyah Jones, Professor of Public Policy, McGill University: "Historically, floor-crossing of this scale precedes a major political realignment. It reflects a collapse of confidence in the official opposition's direction and a centripetal pull toward Carney's broad-tent liberalism during a fragmented global moment."
(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Maria Cheng, Paul Simao, and Rod Nickel)