OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is accusing Prime Minister Mark Carney of trying to manipulate his way to a majority government after another Conservative MP crossed the floor to join the Liberal caucus, bringing the government to within one seat of majority control.
Poilievre said Friday that Carney is attempting to “wheel and deal” his way into a majority that voters did not grant him at the ballot box. He argued that such a move would undermine democratic choice and concentrate power in the hands of the prime minister, warning it would come at the expense of affordability for Canadians facing rising grocery and housing costs. “We need the will of the Canadian people to be respected,” Poilievre said.
The comments followed the surprise announcement Thursday evening that Ontario MP Michael Ma, who represents Markham–Unionville, was leaving the Conservative caucus to join the Liberals. The move gives the Liberals 171 seats in the House of Commons, just one short of a majority.
Poilievre noted that Ma had been publicly criticizing the Liberal government only days earlier, saying voters elected him as a Conservative to make life more affordable, strengthen public safety and hold the government to account. “That’s what he should be doing,” Poilievre said.
Government House leader Steven MacKinnon countered the criticism by saying frustration within Conservative ranks runs deeper than what is seen publicly. Speaking at an announcement in Gatineau, Que., MacKinnon said there are other Conservative MPs who are “extremely frustrated” with the direction of their party and have privately shared their concerns with Liberals. He said many Conservatives feel trapped in what he described as daily obstruction tactics in the House of Commons, including repeatedly asking the same questions during question period — an experience he called “soul-destroying.”
Ma’s defection came just one day after he attended the Conservative Christmas party, posed for photos with Poilievre and participated in festivities. About an hour after announcing his decision, Ma appeared at the Liberal Party’s holiday party in Ottawa, where Carney introduced him to the crowd as the party’s newest member to a standing ovation.
Political strategist Jamie Ellerton said MacKinnon’s comments are clearly politically motivated but warned that floor-crossings can damage trust within a caucus. He said such moves create uncertainty among MPs and complicate caucus management, as members may begin to question one another’s loyalty.
Ma was first elected in April, winning Markham–Unionville by roughly 1,900 votes. In his statement announcing the switch, he said the decision followed conversations with constituents and his family. He said he believes Carney offers a steady and practical approach to addressing priorities such as affordability and the economy. Ma made only brief remarks at the Liberal holiday event, offering holiday greetings and wishing attendees a strong 2026.
The defection follows a similar move last month by Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont, who also left the Conservatives for the Liberals. With Ma’s decision, the Conservatives now hold 142 seats, the Bloc Québécois 22, the NDP seven and the Green Party one.
Health Minister Marjorie Michel said some Liberals may see advantages in achieving a majority government, noting it would allow the government to implement its agenda without constant concerns about triggering an election. She said, however, that she was not personally aware of Ma’s plans prior to the announcement.
MacKinnon said he would not speculate on whether more MPs could cross the floor, emphasizing that such decisions are deeply personal and often disruptive, particularly for those who have spent years within a party.
Poilievre, meanwhile, said the Conservative MPs he speaks with remain focused on affordability and staying united. “We need now more than ever to be united and do the job voters sent us here to do,” he said.
The developments come as Poilievre prepares to face a leadership review at the Conservative Party’s convention in Calgary at the end of January. He has said he is confident heading into the vote, and Ellerton said he has seen no signs of an organized effort to remove the leader. However, Ellerton added that continued defections could raise broader questions among Canadians about what is happening within Conservative ranks.