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OTTAWA — Toronto-area MP Michael Ma left the Conservatives to join the Liberal caucus on Thursday, leaving Prime Minister Mark Carney just one seat shy of a coveted majority government.
Ma, who represents the Markham-Unionville riding in the Greater Toronto Area, issued a statement via the Liberal Party of Canada shortly after the House of Commons rose for the Christmas break. Ma said he had informed both Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of his decision after listening to his constituents, and “reflecting” with his family on the direction of the country.
“This is a time for unity and decisive action for Canada’s future,” Ma said, adding he believed Carney offered that.
“I entered public service to help people — to focus on solutions, not division,” Ma said. “I look forward to working with Prime Minister Carney to make sure that Markham-Unionville, and all of Canada, can move forward with confidence and build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous future.”
Ma is the second MP elected as a Conservative in April, to cross the floor to the Liberals this fall. Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont made the move in early November, the day the Liberals tabled the federal budget.
Ma’s reasoning sounded fairly similar to the statement d’Entremont issued the day he crossed the floor.
A third Conservative, Edmonton MP Matt Jeneroux, had considered joining the Liberals but decided last month he would step down instead, possibly next spring. Jeneroux remains an MP and a member of the Conservative caucus but has not appeared in the House of Commons or voted since that announcement.
Ma was welcomed with a standing ovation at the Liberal holiday party in Ottawa Thursday night, where Carney invited his newest MP to join him on stage and pointed d’Entremont out in the audience.
“Chris and Michael, look at this crowd, you’re family,” Carney said.
In a statement posted on X, Carney said he was “proud to welcome Michael Ma to our team tonight.”
“Look forward to working together to build our country, protect our communities, and create more opportunities for the people of Markham-Unionville and all across Canada,” Carney said.
Ma’s move puts the Liberals at 171 seats, and brings the Conservatives down to 142. The Bloc Québécois remain with 22, the NDP have seven and the Green Party has one.
The floor crossing also comes less than two months before Poilievre faces a leadership review vote at the party’s convention in Calgary.
Poilievre said on social media that Ma “let down” those who elected him.
Poilievre said Ma was elected as a Conservative by the constituents of Markham-Unionville “to fight against Liberal inflationary spending driving up the cost of living in his community.”
“Today, he chose to endorse the very policies he was elected to oppose,” Poilievre said. “The people he let down the most are the ones who elected him to fight for an affordable future. He will have to answer to them.”
Photos and videos posted on X show Ma attending the Conservative Christmas party in Ottawa Wednesday night, and posing for a photo with Poilievre less than 24 hours before he crossed the floor.
At the Liberal Christmas party on Thursday, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Ma joining the Liberals is a testament to Carney’s leadership.
“The Prime Minister certainly has reached out across different party lines,” Anandasangaree said.
Asked about what it means to be one seat closer to a majority, Anandasangaree said “the important point is that there’s momentum.”
He said Ma is a “hardworking individual” who has worked for many years in the community, and “we welcome him with open arms.”
Quebec Liberal MP Sameer Zuberi told The Canadian Press Thursday he’s “so happy” Ma is joining the Liberals.
Zuberi, who sits with Ma on the House of Commons’ immigration committee, said Ma is “a gentleman.”
“He’s always been a very dignified and good person, and I think that’s why he joined our team,” Zuberi said, adding that the Conservative party is defined by a “divisive” approach. “We’re a party that is respectful of everyone and also dignified, and that’s exactly what Michael Ma is.”
Zuberi said he feels “great” about being one seat closer to a majority.
“This is really what we need as a country,” Zuberi said. “We do need stability, we need to navigate what’s happening with respect to the economy.”
“Having a majority government is critical to navigating things.”
Ottawa—Vanier MP Mona Fortier made several references to the Liberals’ gained seat in a speech at the Liberal holiday party.
Speaking to The Canadian Press, Fortier said she thinks the Liberals have an agenda Ma wants to work with.
“He might want to bring some ideas, and I know that we will be listening to those ideas, and I think we’re all wanting to be there for Canadians, and that’s what Michael Ma wants,” Fortier said. “We’re going to concentrate on the best for Canadians, and I believe that’s why he’s joining us.”
Asked if there’s a chance that the Liberals can reach a majority government, Fortier said “one at a time.”
“I will believe it when it happens, but you know what’s really important right now, the message that I’m hearing from many is that they want us to be strong,” Fortier said. “Therefore, the door is open if some want to participate in a family where we have courageous conversations, but then we work together and we go and work for Canadians.”
Ma was first elected as an MP in the last federal election.
He ran against Liberal Peter Yuen, who joined the race late after the Liberal incumbent Paul Chiang stepped down.
Chiang left the race after he suggested to a media outlet that a political opponent could be turned over to Chinese officials for a bounty.
Carney denounced Chiang’s comments but stood by the candidate before he dropped out.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2025.
Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press
