Nunavut MP Lori Idlout crosses floor from NDP to Liberals

OTTAWA — The NDP says Nunavut MP Lori Idlout has crossed the floor to join the Liberals, pushing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government closer to a majority.

Idlout’s move follows defections to the Liberals by three Conservatives in recent months. An early-morning statement from Idhout and the Liberal Party cited Arctic sovereignty, the rights and aspirations of Indigenous peoples, and climate change as reasons for the move.

“That is why after much personal reflection and encouragement from my community, family, and supporters, I have decided to join the government caucus and to work alongside Prime Minister Mark Carney to build the better future that Nunavummiut are counting on,” Idhout said.

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Kirt Ejesiak, the director of the Liberal Party of Canada in Nunavut, described Idlout as a tireless champion for the territory, adding that “Liberals in Nunavut know the importance of strong voices to stand up for our communities and for a strong, secure, and thriving north.”

Interim NDP leader Don Davies issued a statement late Tuesday saying the caucus is “very disappointed” that Idlout chose to join the Liberals.

“The position of the New Democrats on floor crossing is long-standing and clear. We believe that when someone rejects the decision of their electors and wants to join another party, they should put that decision to their voters,” Davies said in his statement.

“In a democracy, something as important as the choice of party representation in Parliament must always remain with our constituents. We believe that should happen here.”

The move leaves the NDP with six seats in the House of Commons.

Idlout is the fourth MP to join the Liberals from the opposition benches since October, following former Conservatives Chris D’Entremont, Michael Ma and Matt Jeneroux.

Justice Minister Sean Fraser shared a congratulatory post on social media, calling Idlout “a tireless advocate for Nunavut and a constructive partner on key priorities like housing, including work supporting the Nunavut 3000 vision.”

“Her focus has always been on delivering real outcomes for the people she represents,” he said on X with a photo of him with Idlout.

B.C. Liberal MP Taleeb Noormohamed welcomed Idlout to the Liberal fold in a post on X Tuesday night and said he looks forward to working with her.

The Canadian Press has reached out to the Prime Minister’s Office for comment.

This latest floor crossing could help give the Carney government a majority, as the Liberals now need to win two of three April 13 byelections to have a narrow majority.

Carney announced the date of the byelections on Sunday.

In this scenario, the government would still likely need at least one opposition MP to help pass legislation, as Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia, a Quebec Liberal, does not vote unless there is a tie.

Traditionally, if the Speaker votes, they opt to maintain the status quo instead of being the deciding factor in passing new legislation.

Two of the vacant seats are in the Toronto area, previously held by former cabinet ministers Chrystia Freeland and Bill Blair. The Liberals won the Quebec riding of Terrebonne by just one vote, but the Supreme Court later annulled the result of the Montreal-area riding.

Idlout has represented Nunavut in the House of Commons since 2021, and just appeared at an Avi Lewis NDP leadership campaign event in Ottawa last Thursday.

The NDP may lose another seat in the near future, as Montreal MP Alexandre Boulerice has been considering running provincially for Québec solidaire.