RICHMOND – Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party, has called for the implementation of recall petitions to allow voters to remove Members of Parliament who switch parties mid-term.
The proposal follows the decision by Southwestern Ontario MP Marilyn Gladu to leave the Conservative Party and join the Liberals. Gladu is the fourth Conservative MP to cross the floor since November.
The shift brings the Liberal government closer to a parliamentary majority and has sparked a debate over the democratic legitimacy of representatives who change party affiliations between general elections.
Parliamentary Recall Mechanisms
Speaking in Richmond, B.C., Poilievre argued that constituents should have the power to force a byelection when a representative departs from the party platform they were elected to support.
“When a member of Parliament goes back on the word they made to their constituents and switches parties, constituents should be able to petition to throw them out and have a byelection,” Poilievre said.
He described the current system as allowing “dirty backroom deals” and stated that recall petitions would “put the people back in charge of our democracy.”
Under Canada’s federal system, MPs are elected as individuals and are not legally bound to remain with the party under whose banner they were elected. The House of Commons is governed by the Constitution Act and the Parliament of Canada framework, which currently provide no mechanism for recalling a sitting MP between general elections other than resignation or disqualification under existing law.
While no such recall mechanism exists at the federal level, Poilievre pointed to the provincial model used in Alberta, where recall legislation has been in place for provincial representatives:
- Petition Threshold: A petition must garner signatures from at least 60 per cent of the total votes cast for the candidate in their last election.
- Constituency Vote: If the threshold is met, a riding-wide vote is held to determine if the member keeps their seat.
- Outcome: If the member loses the vote, a byelection is triggered.
Poilievre and other Conservative MPs have previously voted against legislation that would automatically trigger a byelection upon a party switch. When asked if he would change his vote, Poilievre stated that the final decision rests with the caucus, though he personally favors the petition-based approach as a more targeted, constituent-driven tool.
After Marilyn Gladu became the fourth Conservative MP to join this Liberal government, Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre said he believes “constituents in her riding and every riding should be able to petition for a byelection whenever a member of Parliament changes parties.”
Poilievre framed the proposal as a question of accountability in a minority Parliament, arguing that individual floor-crossings can have outsized consequences for who forms government and how legislation is passed.
Ideological Alignment and Party Values
Prime Minister Mark Carney has emphasized that any MP joining the Liberal caucus must adhere to the party’s core values, particularly regarding social issues.
This requirement is central to the integration of Gladu, who has historically held social conservative views. Her previous record includes:
- Opposing the legalization of cannabis.
- Initial opposition to a bill banning conversion therapy, though she later stated she “vehemently” opposes the practice and supports the LGBTQ+ community.
- Stating during a 2020 leadership bid that she would allow members to bring forward private member’s bills to restrict abortion, while noting they likely lacked broad support.
Carney stated that the Liberal Party “always will support the right of women to choose – always, without question.”
“She will vote with the government if there are votes relating to any aspect of that issue [abortion], as well as the rights of Canadians to be their whole selves, to love who they love, to fully enjoy the rights,” Carney said.
Carney defended the inclusion of floor-crossers, including Gladu and former NDP MP Lori Idlout, by stating that a diverse range of perspectives and expertise aids the government during a “crucial time.” He also argued that requiring new Liberal MPs to commit to the party’s core social-policy positions is essential to maintaining internal cohesion as the government edges toward majority status.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Conservative floor-crosser Marilyn Gladu will “vote with the government” on any aspect of the abortion issue and other social issues. Carney said he and his colleagues had discussed this with the newest Liberal MP.
Path to a Liberal Majority
The defection of Gladu alters the balance of power in the House of Commons, placing the Liberals on the threshold of a slim majority and potentially changing how legislation moves through Parliament committees and confidence votes.
The current seat distribution and requirements are as follows:
- Current Liberal Seat Count: 171
- Slim Majority Threshold: 172 seats
- Target for Operational Control: 173 seats (to account for the Speaker’s convention in tie votes)
Three upcoming byelections are expected to determine if the government reaches this threshold. These contests take place in the following ridings:
- University-Rosedale (Toronto): Considered a safe Liberal seat.
- Scarborough Southwest (Toronto): Considered a safe Liberal seat.
- Terrebonne (Quebec): Won by the Liberals by a single vote in the spring 2025 election.
If the Liberals secure two or more of these seats, they are expected to gain firmer control over their legislative agenda, reducing their reliance on smaller parties for confidence and supply. Opposition parties warn that each additional floor-crosser or byelection gain effectively reshapes the mandate that voters delivered in the last general election.
Conservative Internal Stability
The loss of multiple MPs has coincided with reports of friction within the Conservative caucus. Sources indicate that Poilievre’s office recently issued letters to critic MPs requesting that they justify their current roles and outline how they are advancing the party’s priorities.
Two Conservative sources described the caucus as “demoralized,” characterizing the communication as “off-putting” at a moment when the party is attempting to project discipline and readiness to govern.
Poilievre dismissed suggestions that further floor-crossings are imminent as “rumours.” He cited a recent 87 per cent support mandate from party members as evidence of his leadership stability and insisted that internal reviews of critic roles are routine in a party preparing for the next election.
After his Conservatives lost a fourth MP to the Liberal government, Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre was asked at what point he would reflect on his own leadership. “Our mandate and my leadership does not come from dirty backroom deals, it comes from the people of Canada,” Poilievre said.
The three byelections are scheduled for Monday, coinciding with the return of the House of Commons from a two-week spring hiatus. Their outcome will not only determine whether the Liberals cross the majority threshold, but will also test Poilievre’s argument that recall-style tools – rather than floor-crossing – should be the mechanism by which voters revisit their choices between general elections.
