What to know
- Marilyn Gladu, previously a Conservative, is the fifth member of parliament to cross the floor to join the Liberals.
- Her switch took many by surprise given her long-standing political position that had been far from that of the Liberals on matters like abortion, vaccination and the Freedom Convoy.
- Carney says Gladu, as a Liberal MP, will “vote with the party” on issues that matter most to Canadians.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is defending now-Liberal Marilyn Gladu’s floor crossing despite the growing criticism.
“Over life, one grows, one changes perspective, and one also sees where the priorities are,” Carney said of Gladu’s past political position.
Gladu had long been a vocal critic of the Liberal government, both under Trudeau and under Carney, calling its policies “disastrous.” She had also criticized Carney’s Budget 2025.
She is the fifth MP to cross the floor to join the Carney government, following the footsteps of three MP’s from the Conservative Party and one from the NDP.
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Oppositions express concern with Gladu’s floor crossing
“[Mark Carney] is fabricating a costly majority government through dirty backroom deals that Liberals did not tell Canadians about during the election,” Poilievre said at a press conference in Richmond, B.C.
“I feel badly for Ms. Gladu’s constituents, the strong majority of whom voted for our Conservative vision.”
Tout au long de notre histoire militaire, les Canadiens ont toujours fait preuve de courage pour défendre ce qui est juste.
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) April 9, 2026
Mais la bataille de la crête de Vimy fut particulièrement unique.
Il y a 109 ans, notre jeune nation a prouvé qu’elle était capable de grandes choses.…
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In a statement, the federal NDP referred to Gladu as “a far-right social conservative,” adding she is listed as “anti-choice” by the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada and that she had opposed a ban on conversion therapy.
“It is outrageous but not surprising that in his drive to stitch together a majority government, Prime Minister Mark Carney is further sacrificing long-held Liberal positions on issues of fundamental rights,” the party wrote.
Carney defends Gladu’s political past
In addition to being anti-abortion, Gladu had condemned the Liberal government for invoking the Emergency Act in addressing Freedom Convoy protestors and downplayed the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When asked about Gladu’s past political positions Thursday and whether they reflect the current government’s views, Carney says his party runs on a “clear platform” defending the rights of Canadians.
“I had discussions, and colleagues had discussions, with Ms. Gladu about those issues,” the prime minister said.
“She will vote with the government if there are votes relating to any aspect of that issue as well as the rights of Canadians to be their whole selves, to love who they love, and to fully enjoy their rights under the Charters of Rights and Freedoms.”
Less than a quarter of Canadians think floor crossing MP’s should finish their term: Survey
A recent survey by the Angus Reid Institute found that less than a quarter of Canadians believe MP’s should be allowed to serve out their term upon switching parties.
In January, Gladu herself had told The Independent that MP’s crossing the floor should be subjected to a by-election.
“Really, the whole point of being an MP is to represent your constituents,” Gladu had said.
“So if they’re voting you in under one platform – for you to switch for whatever reason, just seems to me to not be representing what you’re supposed to be there to represent.”
Gladu’s constituents upset at her floor crossing
Gladu’s floor crossing is prompting mixed reactions from Canadians, with many calling her out on her hypocrisy.
“Perfect, set the date for the by-election!” one Facebook user commented on her social media post.
“I’m equal parts confused, shocked and skeptical,” another wrote.
“Judging by the emojis, the majority are hardly impressed with the news,” another wrote referring to the emoji reactions the post had garnered.
Gladu’s switch puts the Liberals one seat away from a parliamentary majority, which the party has the chance to achieve in the three byelections coming up in Toronto and Montreal next week.
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