Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has snatched another Conservative to join his government.
Marilyn Gladu’s surprise defection Wednesday puts Carney on the path to securing a majority government next week after votes are tallied Monday in three special elections.
“The 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 build a stronger and more independent Canadian economy,” the Ontario lawmaker wrote in a statement to her constituents.
Gladu, first elected to Parliament in 2015, represents a border community at the base of Lake Huron that straddles Michigan — one that has been hit hard by President Donald Trump’s trade war.
“I have made a choice to do the best thing for our community’s priorities, and importantly, for our country,” she said.
Her decision to join Carney boosts the Liberals’ seat count up to 171 — one shy of the threshold needed for a majority government, which is almost certain to be achieved next week.
That’s when three by-elections, two in Toronto Liberal strongholds, will help Carney get his majority without having to call another federal election until 2029.
Another Montreal-area special election, triggered after Canada’s top court annulled the results of the Liberals’ one-vote win, is a toss-up between Liberals and the separatist Bloc Québécois.
Gladu said her riding has historically been considered a bellwether riding, meaning its representative is usually in the government’s benches.
“That was true for 52 years before the citizens here elected me four times, throughout which I have served in Opposition and done my best to advocate strongly for you,” she wrote, noting she’s now seizing an opportunity and responsibility “to build our country’s strength and success with a more constructive, collaborative approach.”
Gladu is also bringing some baggage, having recently criticized a move by Ottawa to double down on the use of the Emergencies Act to clear the so-called Freedom Convoy protest. She called the move to appeal a lower court decision a waste of taxpayer dollars.
The Conservatives have been in opposition since 2015, when Gladu was elected, knocked out of office by a wave of support for former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Gladu’s defection also brings new headaches for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who has now lost four members of his caucus to Carney in little over four months.
The Canadian Conservative firebrand’s reputation took a critical hit after he blew a 27-point lead in last year’s election and lost his own seat in the House of Commons — one that he had held for just over two decades.
He has since tried to rehabilitate his image, taking more international trips to appear more prime ministerial, eager to be seen as a viable alternative to Carney. He recently visited the United States for the first time since becoming leader in 2022 — a trip where he dropped by podcaster Joe Rogan’s Austin studio, crediting mixed martial artist Georges St-Pierre for their meet cute.
