Canada: Surprise defection leaves Carney's Liberals just one seat short of majority

Source: Politico

Surprise defection leaves Carney’s Liberals just one seat short of majority

The Toronto lawmaker is the second MP in two months to bolt for the Liberals.

By Mickey Djuric
12/11/2025 07:42 PM EST

OTTAWA — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is just one seat short of a majority government after a Toronto Conservative lawmaker quit the party Thursday afternoon to join the Liberals.

MP Michael Ma’s defection puts the Liberals in striking distance of control of the House of Commons — a shift that would safeguard Carney’s ambitious legislative agenda until 2029.

A Liberal majority government would be able to pass bills and approve spending without support from any other party — and it would sideline Carney’s chief rival, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, for another three years.

In a statement, Ma said he arrived at the decision after reflecting with his family and constituents on the direction of the country. “This is a time for unity and decisive action for Canada’s future,” he said.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/11/carney-short-liberal-majority-00688193