Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu crosses floor to Liberals

OTTAWA — Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu announced her decision to cross the floor to the Liberals on Wednesday, becoming the fourth Conservative to cross to the governing party in recent months.

“This past year has been like no other that Canada has ever faced, and I’ve heard clearly from constituents that you want serious leadership and a real plan to bring a stronger and more independent Canadian economy,” said Gladu, in a statement.

“That is why I have decided to join Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada’s new government as the newest member of his caucus.”

In a statement on Wednesday, Carney said he looks forward to working with Gladu.

“In a time of global economic uncertainty, Canada’s success will depend on how we build ambition into progress and strengths into sustained advantage,” he said. “Marilyn brings the practical, results-driven leadership this effort demands.”

At this important moment for our country’s future, Canadians with a broad range of experience and perspectives are uniting to build Canada strong. I am honoured to welcome Marilyn Gladu today as the newest member of this government and our Liberal caucus.In a time of global… pic.twitter.com/leQXxRL6VO

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 8, 2026

The Liberal government has secured five floor crossers in recent months, four from the Conservatives and one from the NDP, when Nunavut MP Lori Idlout crossed last month.

Gladu has represented the riding of Sarnia—Lambton–Bkejwanong since 2015 and she won her seat handily in the 2025 election with 53.1 per cent of the popular vote. Gladu also ran for leadership of the Conservatives back in 2020.

She was also a strong supporter of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s leadership in 2022, having served as the Ontario co-chair for his campaign.

Speaking on background, a Conservative MP said Gladu’s defection from the party is “shocking” and has left the caucus stunned. They noted she was “one of the most anti-Liberal, anti-Mark Carney members of the caucus.”

As examples of her political stance, Conservative MPs pointed to Gladu’s record of opposing COVID-19 mandates, being opposed to abortion and mounting a fierce opposition to the Liberals latest’ anti-hate bill, C-9.

National Post obtained Gladu’s letter to Conservative caucus following her crossing, where she defended her choice to her former colleagues.

“Many of you may feel disappointed in me, which I accept and understand,” she wrote. “What I would say is that in the time I have to serve in this place, I have made a choice to do the best thing for my riding, for my community’s priorities, and for the country.”

She added that “all of you know what I stand for” and that she would continue to bring her perspectives inside the government tent.

Gladu’s floor crossing to the Liberals comes one day before the party will gather in Montreal this weekend for their annual convention. The latest addition to caucus now brings the Liberals’ seat count to 171, making Carney just one seat shy of a majority. Three by-elections are scheduled to happen on April 13, including two Liberal safe seats in Toronto, will likely put the government in majority territory.

The by-election in Terrebonne, Quebec, which is expected to be a close race between the Liberals and Bloc Québécois, is now less consequential to Carney’s electoral ambitions.

More to come.

National Post

– with files from Christopher Nardi and Stephanie Taylor

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