Conservative MP Michael Ma has announced he is leaving that caucus to join the federal Liberals.
In a statement released Thursday by the Liberal Party, Ma said, “After listening carefully to the people of Markham–Unionville in recent weeks and reflecting with my family on the direction of our country, I have informed the Speaker and the Leader of the Opposition that I will be joining Prime Minister Mark Carney in the government caucus.”
This floor crossing puts the Liberals at 171 seats — one short of a majority in which the Liberal Speaker of the House of Commons would vote to break any ties, and two seats short of a majority where they do not need to rely on the Speaker to vote to break ties.
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Ma said Carney is offering “the steady, practical approach we need to deliver on the priorities I hear every day while door knocking in Markham—Unionville.”
He added that this is a time for “unity and decisive action for Canada’s future.”
His floor-crossing comes only weeks after former Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont also crossed the floor to sit with the Liberals, and after Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux announced he will be resigning from the party caucus.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre faces a leadership review at the party convention in January. This latest departure is expected to put pressure on him as party members decide whether he should stay on as leader.
More to come.
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