Canadian Politics: By-Elections and Floor-Crossing
Presenters: Henry Antolic and Catherine Francis
Please join the Zoom Meeting here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/971381033
On April 13, 2026, Mark Carney achieved a majority government for the liberals, the first majority government in Canada since 2015. Mr. Carney achieved this in an unconventional manner. The following is a summary prepared by Co-Pilot of how this happened:
How the Carney Liberals Achieved a Majority (2025–2026)
1. Minority after the 2025 general election
The April 28, 2025 federal election left Mark Carney’s Liberals just short of a majority in the 343‑seat House of Commons, forcing them to govern as a minority. They needed 172 seats to gain majority control. [[en.wikipedia.org]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/By-elections_to_the_45th_Canadian_Parliament)
2.Series of floor crossings (late 2025–early 2026)
Between November 2025 and April 2026, five opposition MPs crossed the floor to join the Liberal caucus (four Conservatives and one NDP MP). These defections significantly narrowed the gap between minority and majority, pushing the Liberals to within one seat of control before any by‑elections were held. [[theconversation.com]](https://theconversation.com/another-mp-jumps-to-carneys-liberals-igniting-concerns-about-the-health-of-canadas-democracy-280342), [[independent.co.uk]](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/canada-special-election-mark-carney-liberals-majority-b2957055.html)
3.Vacancies trigger key by‑elections
Three Liberal-held ridings became vacant due to high‑profile resignations (appointments to diplomatic or advisory roles) and one re‑run caused by a Supreme Court decision annulling a razor‑thin result. By‑elections were scheduled for April 13, 2026 in:
Scarborough Southwest (ON)
University–Rosedale (ON)
Terrebonne (QC).
Liberals sweep all three by‑elections
On April 13, 2026, the Liberals won all three seats, including the tightly contested Terrebonne race in Quebec. These victories pushed the party to 174 seats, safely over the majority threshold. [[cbc.ca]](https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/livestory/byelections-terrebonne-university-rosedale-scarborough-southwest-9.7162168)
4. First majority formed between elections
The combined effect of floor crossings plus by‑election wins made Mark Carney the first prime minister in Canadian history to move from a minority to a majority without a general election, giving his government full control of the House of Commons until at least 2029.
The following are a few discussion questions for considerations:
After the Liberals won a majority government, Pierre Poilevre stated the following: "The Carney Liberals did not win a majority government through a general election or today's by-elections. Instead, it was won through backroom deals with politicians who betrayed the people who voted for them." Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Do you vote based on the party or the individual MP? How would you feel if your elected MP were to cross the floor to another party?
Does achieving a majority through parliamentary changes differ in democratic legitimacy from winning one in a general election?
Should MPs who cross the floor be required to seek a renewed mandate from their constituents under a by-election? Why or why not?
The by-elections in Scarborough Southwest and University–Rosedale both arose due to the resignations of two high-profile MPs in these ridings (Bill Blair and Chrystia Freeland). By-elections are costly. Should elected MP's be committed to their mandate?
The Terrebonne by-election was the result of a Supreme Court of Canada decision overturning the prior election result after the Liberals won by a single vote. Do you agree or disagree with the decision?
The Terrebonne by-election had a relatively healthy voter turnout as compared to the Toronto ridings. Why do you think the turnout was so much higher in Quebec?
What does the result in Terrebone say about the Bloc Quebecois?
Some of the floor-crossing MP's have strong social conservative records, particularly Marilyn Gladu, the most recent MP to join the Liberal Party. Should the Liberal Party be welcoming MP's whose views do not generally align with the party platforms?
Should Canada consider reforming its rules on floor crossing or by‑elections in light of what happened here?
Please join the Zoom Meeting here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/971381033