‘I’m here for that,’ Torontonians weigh in as Liberals near majority government with Marilyn Gladu’s crossing

Mark Carney’s Liberals are now one seat away from a majority government after former Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu crossed the floor, days before a federal by-election.

In a statement to her constituents on Wednesday, the Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong MP announced the move, saying she has done the right thing to serve the community’s priorities and the country.

“The experience I gained working globally across many sectors will be important to help our Prime Minister continue to deliver on the big priorities he is driving forward,” Gladu said.

With Gladu’s crossing, the Liberals now have 171 seats, nearing the required 172 seats for a majority government.

As a result, the Liberals will only need to win one of three scheduled federal by-elections set for Monday in Scarborough Southwest, University-Rosedale, and Terrebonne.

Carney welcomed Gladu to caucus in front of reporters on Wednesday, saying he couldn’t be happier to have her expertise, energy, and experience on his team.

“Marilyn has tremendous experience in business as an engineer, international business experience, and 10 years, four elections, of experience in Parliament, and [she is] one of the most collaborative members of Parliament working across party lines on important issues,” Carney said.

Gladu becomes the fifth MP to cross the floor and join the Liberal Party in recent months, most recently Nunavut MP Lori Idlout, who crossed the floor in March after being part of the NDP caucus.

Pierre Poilievre reacts

In a statement posted on social media, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre accused Carney of seizing a majority through backroom deals.

“Mark Carney is seizing a costly Liberal majority that voters denied him, and doing so through backroom deals,” he said.

He went on to say that Gladu herself said in January that floor crossers should face voters in a by-election to give voters the final say.

“I could not agree more. She should do so. The people in her community voted for our Conservative vision of a Canada that is affordable, safe, and strong at home, not for the costly Liberal government she has now joined,” he said.

Poilievre finished his statement by urging Gladu to honour her word and let voters decide.

Torontonians weigh in

With the federal by-elections just days away, and two ridings being in Toronto, Now Toronto spoke with locals about how they feel about the Liberals being one step closer to a majority.

One man named Richard G. said he’s not a fan of majorities.

“I’m not a big fan of the majorities, to be honest. I know people think more things get done, but I’m not a fan of how the system is set up, period,” he said.

He acknowledged that it’s likely we’ll be seeing a Liberal majority in the by-elections.

“I guess people can be happy about that, but there’s a lot of different ways to look at what they’re doing. Sometimes when you’re just against the other thing, you’re not necessarily giving real scrutiny to the thing you’re for,” he said.

Another local, Aiden Van Eyk, said that a potential majority would be good for advancing promises and getting things done.

“I feel like with a majority government, things can actually get done, whereas if it’s a minority, everyone is just going to be fighting all the time, because politics have become more about fighting than actually getting stuff done,” Van Eyk said.

Local resident Bryce Malenstyn said he fully agrees with Van Eyk.

“What’s nice about having it be a majority, without it being too skewed in one direction, is that you’re still getting the opportunity for it to be like a proper government and still hear what everyone has to say, but things can still get done,” he said. “If I could have a Liberal majority, that sounds great. I’m here for that.”