Carney inches closer to majority, as fourth MP defects to Liberals

Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals have inched closer to a majority in the Canadian parliament as a fourth MP defected to join the party. Lori Idlout, a member of the left-leaning New Democrats (NDP), joined Carney after "much personal reflection", the Liberals said in a statement. "At this turning point in our history, I am ready to work with (Carney) to build a strong future for Nunavut and for all of Canada," Idlout said. Floor crossings are allowed in Canada's Westminster parliamentary system, and have occurred more than 300 times since confederation in 1867. Carney, leading a minority government, is nearing a majority - largely helped by three recent defections from Conservative MPs. Idlout was first elected as an MP from the Canadian territory of Nunavut in 2021. In its statement, the Liberal Party said she was "well known as a tireless champion for Nunavut". Idlout said that she believed her northern community needed "a strong and ambitious government", citing concerns about Canada's sovereignty, climate change and affordability. Interim NDP leader Don Davies said he was "very disappointed", with Idlout's defection. "We believe that when someone rejects the decision of th

Mar 11, 2026 → Mar 30, 2026