In the world of politics, crossing party lines can be a risky move for Members of Parliament, with few successfully navigating the journey to the next election. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s minority Liberal government has recently welcomed four opposition MPs, bringing a majority government within reach.
A detailed chart has been compiled tracking every federal MP who has switched parties since 2004, illustrating the timing of their transitions and whether it led to a return to Parliament or an exit from politics.
Notable success stories include Belinda Stronach, who shifted from running for the Conservative Party leadership in 2004 to joining the Liberals the following year in opposition to then-leader Stephen Harper. Despite the subsequent electoral loss for the Liberals, Stronach retained her seat until her retirement in 2008.
In a more recent example, Leona Alleslev crossed from the Liberals to the Conservatives in 2018, successfully reclaiming her seat. Similarly, Fredericton MP Jenica Atwin helped the Green Party secure seats in 2019 but later switched to the Liberals, securing her seat under the new banner in 2021.
Some MPs opt for retirement instead of facing reelection, such as David Emerson, who switched to the Conservatives after winning as a Liberal in 2006 and did not seek reelection. Others, like Lise St-Denis, switched parties before retiring due to health reasons.
On the other hand, some crossings have not been well-received by voters. Wajid Khan, serving as a special adviser to Prime Minister Harper, crossed to the Conservatives but lost to a Liberal candidate in the subsequent election. Similarly, Eve Adams joined the Liberals towards the end of the Harper government but failed to secure a nomination for the upcoming election.
Public opinion on floor crossing remains largely negative, with only a quarter of Canadians in an Angus Reid online poll supporting MPs who switch parties finishing their terms. The upcoming byelections on April 13 will be crucial in potentially granting Carney the majority he narrowly missed in the 2025 election.