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Ontario MP Michael Ma announced Thursday that he is leaving the Conservative caucus and joining the Liberals.
The MP said in a statement that he made the decision after listening to his constituents in the riding of Markham-Unionville in the Greater Toronto Area.
“This is a time for unity and decisive action for Canada’s future,” he wrote.
“In that spirit, I have concluded that Prime Minister Mark Carney is offering the steady, practical approach we need to deliver on the priorities I hear every day while door-knocking in Markham-Unionville.”
Ma’s move comes just a few weeks after former Conservative Chris d’Entremont also left the Conservatives to join the government benches.
The new addition to the Liberal caucus means Carney is one seat away from a majority government.
Rumours swirled in the days following d’Entremont’s defection that more Conservatives would follow the Nova Scotia MP — but none had switched sides until Ma.
Liberal Member of Parliament Chris d’Entremont joined the government side of the House last month. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
There were suggestions that Conservative Matt Jeneroux could also cross the floor, but the Alberta MP abruptly announced in early November that he would be leaving politics altogether. Jeneroux hasn’t officially resigned but hasn’t voted since his announcement.
Conservative sources told CBC News at the time that Jeneroux had said he was under pressure to stay from some in the party. A senior Liberal source confirmed the MP met with Carney the week he announced his resignation.
Jeneroux said coercion played no role in his decision to leave federal politics.
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Ma’s defection came just hours after the House wrapped up the fall sitting, meaning MPs will be heading back to their ridings for six weeks.
The House is scheduled to return in late January, just days before Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre faces a leadership review — and will likely have to defend having lost a number of MPs as it approaches.Â
D’Entremont said that he left because of Poilievre’s leadership style.
In his statement on Thursday, Ma didn’t mention Poilievre other than to say he informed the Conservative leader that he would be leaving.
“I entered public service to help people — to focus on solutions, not division. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Carney,” Ma’s statement said.