Liberal Party Gains Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu Amid Floor-Crossings to Mark Carney's Caucus

OTTAWA — The Liberal Party, led by Mark Carney, has seen several MPs cross the floor from other parties in recent months. This includes five MPs who joined the Liberal caucus. The most recent addition is Marilyn Gladu, the MP for Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong, who was elected four times as a Conservative.

Gladu's move follows crossings by Chris d'Entremont, elected three times as a Conservative in Nova Scotia, and Matt Jeneroux, elected four times as a Conservative in Edmonton. Lori Idlout, elected twice as a New Democrat in Nunavut, also joined the Liberals. Doly Begum, a former deputy leader of the Ontario NDP, is the Liberal candidate in the upcoming Scarborough Southwest by-election.

“This all comes at a time when the country as a whole is uniting — uniting to move forward. " — Mark Carney (Cbc) Gladu was voted the most collegial MP in a 2016 survey of colleagues. She briefly ran for Conservative Party leadership in 2020.”

In April 2020, she promoted an unproven treatment for COVID-19 and questioned the public health response to the pandemic.

2021, Gladu stated that COVID-19 was less of a threat than polio, drawing criticism from then-Conservative leader Erin O'Toole; she later apologized.

In June 2021, she voted against Liberal legislation to ban conversion therapy, citing concerns over the bill's wording, though she opposed the practice. In a 2020 interview, Gladu said it is important that every part of the community feels loved and accepted and that she would be willing to march in a Pride parade.

Three months ago, Gladu stated that any MP switching parties should face a by-election.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre referenced this comment while criticizing her decision to join the Liberals. The Liberals now hold 171 seats in the House of Commons.

The party could reach 173 seats if it wins two of three by-elections scheduled for next week.

This number would allow the Liberals to survive confidence votes and secure a majority on House committees. Background on similar efforts includes Michael Ignatieff's 2011 appeal as Liberal leader to join the party's 'big red tent,' which preceded his party's election loss. The floor-crossings occur 15 years after Ignatieff's leadership ended.

Carney's approach has expanded the Liberal caucus to include MPs from diverse party backgrounds. The NDP has noted Gladu's record in response to her move.