Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu has crossed the floor to join Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal caucus, marking the latest defection in a string of political shifts that edge the Liberals closer to a majority in the House of Commons. Announced on April 8, Gladu’s move from her Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong riding in Ontario brings the Liberal seat count to 171, just one shy of the 172 needed for a slim majority.
Gladu, first elected as a Conservative in 2015, cited the need for a more collaborative approach during a transformative period for Canada. “The past year has been like no other that Canada has ever faced, and I’ve heard clearly from constituents that you want serious leadership and a real plan to build a stronger and more independent Canadian economy,” she wrote in a letter to her constituents.
Her defection is the fifth floor crossing in as many months and the fourth from the Conservative ranks, following Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont, Toronto MP Michael Ma, and Edmonton MP Matt Jeneroux.
Prime Minister Carney welcomed Gladu with enthusiasm on social media, emphasizing the diversity of perspectives uniting under the Liberal banner. Her addition could solidify the government’s position ahead of three crucial byelections on April 13, 2026, in Toronto’s University–Rosedale and Scarborough Southwest—both considered safe Liberal seats—and Quebec’s Terrebonne, a riding the Liberals won by a single vote in the spring 2025 election before the Supreme Court annulled the result.
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Gladu’s political journey adds layers to her unexpected move. A four-time MP who secured over 50% of the vote in her riding last spring, she has been a vocal social conservative on Parliament Hill, known for her collegial style—earning her the title of most collegial MP from Maclean’s in both 2016 and 2020. She chaired the Status of Women committee and served as the Conservative shadow minister for civil liberties until her defection. Yet her tenure included controversies, such as promoting unproven COVID-19 treatments in 2020 and criticizing vaccine mandates, positions that clashed with Liberal policies.
Her past friction with the Conservative Party may have paved the way for this shift. Disqualified from the 2020 Conservative leadership race due to pandemic-related logistical barriers and steep entry fees, Gladu expressed deep disappointment in her party’s handling of the situation. More recently, she gave Carney’s first budget a “D” grade, critiquing its impact on seniors and students while opposing his stance on religious exemptions in hate crime legislation.
The defection blindsided Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s team, signaling potential cracks within the party as Carney’s influence grows. With up to 10 additional MPs reportedly in talks to cross the floor, the Liberals could further reshape the political landscape. For now, Gladu’s move hands Carney a strategic advantage, potentially securing a majority even if the Terrebonne byelection slips away.
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