Nunavut’s NDP MP Lori Idlout becomes fourth floor crosser to Liberal government
Prime Minister Mark Carney inches one step closer to a Majority government. He now sits at 170 seats, and has called 3 by-elections to take place in April. If he wins 2 of the 3, he will reach 172
An NDP MP from Nunavut crossed the floor to join the Liberals Tuesday night, meaning the Liberal’s will just need to win two of the three upcoming by-elections to secure a Liberal majority government.
NDP Interim leader Don Davies released a statement on X Tuesday night condemning the floor crossing and claiming the MP should instead put it up to voters as to whether or not she still represents them in the House of Commons.
“The position of the New Democrats on floor crossing is longstanding and clear. We believe that when someone rejects the decision of their electors and wants to join another party, they should put that decision to their voters,” Davies said, noting his party’s disappointment in the move. “In a democracy, something as important as the choice of party representation in Parliament must always remain with our constituents. We believe that should happen here.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney released a statement Wednesday morning adding that “working in partnership to build a strong North and strong Nunavut” will be “essential to building a more secure , prosperous and resilient Canada.”
“Lori has devoted her life to fighting for Nunavut’s potential and the immediate needs of its people, becoming known in many ways as the ultimate community MP even as she represents a constituency the size of Mexico,” he said in the statement. “At this important moment in our history, Canadians are coming together to build a strong future. Lori’s voice and leadership will make an invaluable contribution to this work as part of Canada’s new government.”
Idlout’s floor crossing brings the Liberals to 170 seats, just two shy of securing a majority government.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced three by-elections in Scarborough Southwest and University—Rosedale, along with Terrebonne, Quebec, to be held on April 13, 2026, In Scarborough Southwest and University—Rosedale, along with Terrebonne, Quebec.
The two Toronto ridings are considered to be safe according to 338Canada, an aggregate polling centre. Terrebonne Quebec is considered to be a toss up between the Bloc Quebecois and Liberal Party.
Nate Erskine Smith has declared that he will resign his seat to run in the provincial Scarborough Southwest riding as he vies for the Ontario Liberal leadership. Erskine-Smith’s current riding he’s set to vacate is also considered a Liberal stronghold.
Idlout is the forth MP to cross to the Liberals since the April 2025 federal election. In November, 2025 Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entrement crossed from the Conservatives to the Liberals. Markham MP Michael Ma did the same in December 2025 and Edmonton MP Matt Jeneroux followed in February 2026.
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This is getting ridiculous. These politicians are betraying Canadians for their personal gains. And Mark Carney clearly has no regard for the democratic process of elections. It’s downright insulting to Canadians…
It’s heartbreaking what this country has become. I don’t care if the system allows it. It’s wrong for them to do this.
May their days in office be few and may they be replaced with honest people that want to serve Canadians with integrity. 😢
Back in the day we called it "playing dirty Pool". The PM, when he's not spending borrowed/ taxpayers money hobnobbing with Commies around the world, he's using every loophole in the book to lure more parliamentarians to "cross the floor" to betray their voters! In the case of the most recent betrayal, with Idlout, it seems promising that more Inuit/ Indigenous will be drawn to the dark side" bc that might secure they'll get land in their region of Canada, signed over to them in court. Nice for the "natives" but it will increasingly "piss off" the non-native "landowners" who've been royally betrayed! Maybe more Canadian will wake up and realize they're getting the wool pulled over their eyes! And we know who the "Big Bad Wolf" is!