A majority government built with floor-crossers is not legitimate, Poilievre says

In a year-end interview, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre expressed his disapproval of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s attempt to secure a majority government by welcoming floor-crossers. “A majority government built with floor-crossers is not legitimate,” Poilievre says, suggesting that such a move would undermine the democratic will of Canadians.

Canadians May React Badly

Poilievre, in his conversation with The Globe and Mail, emphasized that Canadians might react negatively if another MP crosses the floor to join the Liberals. He believes that such a move would not reflect the will of the voters.

The Liberals’ Minority Mandate

The Liberals, following the April election, secured 169 seats, resulting in another minority government. However, these numbers were bolstered by two MPs—Nova Scotia’s Chris d’Entremont and Ontario’s Michael Ma—crossing the floor from the Conservative party, bringing the Liberals within one seat of a majority.

Questioning the Legitimacy

When asked about the legitimacy of a majority government formed through floor-crossing, Poilievre was clear in his response. He stated that he does not view such a government as a legitimate majority government.

An Unpopular and Expensive Agenda

Poilievre further argued that the Prime Minister’s intention behind acquiring a majority through floor-crossing is to impose an unpopular and expensive agenda upon Canadians without any accountability for the next three years. He said, “If Canadians wanted to give him the power to form that costly government without accountability, they would have voted for that. They didn’t.”

Public Reaction and Future Prospects

There has been public backlash against MPs who have switched parties. For instance, some constituents in Michael Ma’s Markham-Unionville riding have protested his decision to join the Liberals, demanding his resignation. With several seats potentially opening up due to MPs stepping down for diplomatic appointments and others leaving office, the composition of the government may continue to shift in the coming months.

Conservative Leadership Review

Poilievre faces a mandatory leadership review at the Conservative party’s January convention. However, he remains firm in his commitment to his role and his party, stating, “So I’m not going to give up, and it will be the grassroots, hard-working, common people in this country who form our Conservative party that will decide.”

Ethan Radcliffe

Ethan Radcliffe is a senior reporter and digital editor at The Toronto Insider, specializing in Canadian federal policy, GTA urban development, and national economic trends. With over a decade of experience in North American journalism, Ethan focuses on translating complex legislative and economic developments into clear, accessible reporting for Canadian readers. Ethan’s work emphasizes policy analysis, government accountability, and data-driven reporting, with a strong focus on how federal and provincial decisions impact communities across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. He has covered infrastructure planning, housing policy, fiscal strategy, and regulatory changes affecting Canadian households and businesses. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Journalism, Ethan brings expertise in investigative reporting, long-form analysis, editorial standards, and digital publishing best practices. His reporting is guided by verifiable sources, public records, and transparent sourcing. In addition to reporting, Ethan has experience in newsroom editing, fact-checking workflows, SEO-informed journalism, and audience analytics, ensuring stories meet both editorial integrity standards and modern digital discoverability requirements. Ethan is committed to objective, fact-driven journalism and adheres to established ethical guidelines, prioritizing accuracy, clarity, and public trust in all reporting.

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