Canada's Carney welcomes another defector to Liberals as he nears majority
ReutersA Conservative member of parliament from Ontario has defected to the Liberal Party, bringing Canada's prime minister, Mark Carney, inches away from leading a majority in the House of Commons.
Marilyn Gladu announced her switch this week, saying the community she represents wants "serious leadership and a real plan to build a stronger and more independent Canadian economy".
The fifth MP to leave their party in recent months, Gladu has brought a majority government within arm's reach for the Liberals. They now have 171 seats - one shy of the required 172 for a majority.
Canada's Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, accused Carney of trying to seize a majority "through dirty backroom deals".
Last month, MP Lori Idlout, who represents Nunavut, left the New Democratic Party to join Carney's caucus.
That followed the defections of three Conservative MPs: Matt Jeneroux of Alberta, Chris d'Entremont of Nova Scotia and Michael Ma of Ontario.
"In a time of global economic uncertainty, Canada's success will depend on how we build ambition into progress and strengths into sustained advantage," Carney posted on social media, applauding Gladu's move. "Marilyn brings the practical, results-driven leadership this effort demands."
But the Conservatives' Pollievre urged Gladu to face voters in a by-election and give voters the final say.
"The people in her community voted for our Conservative vision of a Canada that is affordable, safe, and strong at home, not for the costly Liberal government she has now joined," he wrote on social media.
Gladu, who represents Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong in Ontario, said her choice was "the best thing for our community's priorities, and importantly, for our country".
The area she represents sits right on the US border, and in her announcement, she alluded to working to build a "more independent" Canada.
"We need a global leader with a plan to make a more resilient Canada," she said in a video standing next to Carney.