Another Conservative MP crosses the floor, bringing Liberals within one seat of majority

A second Conservative MP has crossed the floor a little over a month, bringing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s minority Liberal government to the brink of a majority.

Source: mpmichaelma.ca

A second Conservative MP has crossed the floor a little over a month, bringing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s minority Liberal government to the brink of a majority.

Ontario MP Michael Ma announced Thursday that he is leaving the Conservative caucus to sit as a Liberal, saying he made the decision after hearing from constituents in his riding of Markham–Unionville.

“This is a time for unity and decisive action for Canada’s future,” Ma said in a written statement. “In that spirit, I have concluded that Prime Minister Mark Carney is offering the steady, practical approach we need to deliver on the priorities I hear every day while door-knocking in Markham–Unionville.”

Ma’s defection comes only weeks after Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont also departed the Conservative caucus to join the Liberals. His move brings the Liberal seat count to within one of the 170 seats needed to form a majority government.

The Conservatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Ma’s departure.

Ma was elected under Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in the 2025 federal election.

In his statement, Ma did not reference internal disagreements, instead framing his decision as one based on constituent concerns and confidence in the government’s policy direction.

Floor-crossing has been a recurring point of contention in the current Parliament, where the Liberals have repeatedly sought to strengthen their numbers amid close votes on legislation, including measures related to climate policy, public safety and federal–provincial energy agreements.

With the Liberals now one seat short of a majority, Ma’s move is expected to alter the dynamics of upcoming confidence matters.

No byelection is triggered by a floor-crossing, and Ma is expected to take his new seat on the government benches in the new year.