Trending Now - Liberals Gain Ground as Fourth MP Switches Allegiance in Canada

WHO:

Opposition New Democratic interim leader Don Davies expressed disappointment regarding Lori Idlout's defection to the Liberals.

Liberal Cabinet minister Sean Fraser welcomed Idlout to the party via social media.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, Member of Parliament Lori Idlout, Opposition New Democratic interim leader Don Davies, Liberal Cabinet minister Sean Fraser, Conservative Members of Parliament Chris d’Entremont, Michael Ma, and Matt Jeneroux, political science professor Daniel Béland from McGill University.

WHAT:

The Liberals now have 170 Members of Parliament in the House of Commons, needing 172 for a majority government.

Three Conservative Members of Parliament who defected to the Liberals in recent months are Chris d’Entremont, Michael Ma, and Matt Jeneroux.

Lori Idlout defected from the New Democratic Party to join the governing Liberals.

The Liberals now have 170 Members of Parliament in the House of Commons and need 172 to secure a majority government.

Carney has called special elections for three districts, which could give the Liberals a majority if they win two of them.

WHERE:

The elections will take place in the Toronto-area districts of Scarborough Southwest and University-Rosedale, and in the Montreal-area riding of Terrebonne.

WHEN:

The announcement for the special elections was made on March 8th, 2026, with votes scheduled for April 13th, 2026.

Carney became Prime Minister in 2025.

WHY:

Jeneroux cited Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos as influential in his decision to defect, where Carney condemned economic coercion by great powers against smaller countries.

The defection of opposition lawmakers is contributing to the Liberals' potential to pass bills without opposition support.

Jeneroux cited Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos as influential in his decision to defect.

HOW:

Carney has moved the Liberals to a centrist position since taking office, attracting members from both Conservative and New Democratic parties.

(UPDATED March 11, 2026 13:23 UTC)

In a significant political shift, opposition New Democratic interim leader Don Davies expressed disappointment over Lori Idlout's defection to the Liberals, who now have 170 Members of Parliament in the House of Commons, just two short of a majority. Liberal Cabinet minister Sean Fraser welcomed Idlout to the party on social media, while three Conservative MPs, Chris d’Entremont, Michael Ma, and Matt Jeneroux, have also recently joined the Liberals, with Jeneroux citing a speech by Carney at the World Economic Forum as a key influence in his decision. The announcement for special elections was made last Monday, with voting set for April 13, 2026, as Carney continues to steer the Liberals toward a centrist position, attracting members from both the Conservative and New Democratic parties.

(UPDATED March 11, 2026 09:09 UTC)

In a significant political shift, Lori Idlout has defected from the New Democratic Party to join the governing Liberals, bringing their total to 170 Members of Parliament in the House of Commons, just two short of a majority. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced special elections for three districts, including Scarborough Southwest, University-Rosedale, and Terrebonne, which are set for April 13, and winning two of these could secure the Liberals a majority government. Carney's centrist approach since taking office in 2025 has attracted lawmakers from both the Conservative and New Democratic parties, with Chris d’Entremont noting the impact of Carney's recent speech at the World Economic Forum as a key factor in Idlout's decision.