Conservative MP Michael Ma announced he is crossing the floor to join Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party, bringing the government just one seat short of a majority. Ma, representing Ontario’s Markham-Unionville, said it is “time for unity and decisive action.”
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre slammed Ma’s decision, saying he “let down” his voters by backing policies he had promised to oppose. Ma’s defection follows last month’s move by Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont and comes just before Poilievre’s January leadership review.
Ma praised Carney for offering a “steady, practical approach” to deliver on voter priorities. At a Liberal holiday event, Carney welcomed Ma to the stage, highlighting a “big, broad, and growing Liberal tent.”
The party’s combative style has been blamed for its election loss earlier this year. Poilievre lost his Ottawa seat but won a safe Alberta riding in August with over 80% of the vote. Although polls show most Conservatives still support him, backing has dropped from 68% in August to 58% in November, according to Angus Reid.
Ma defeated the Liberal candidate in Markham-Unionville by just under 2,000 votes, in a constituency known to swing between parties. The defection highlights ongoing tensions and uncertainty within the Conservative ranks as they approach their leadership review.
