Pierre Poilievre says floor-crossing MPs duty-bound to respect voters' wishes
· Toronto Sun
OTTAWA — Members of Parliament have a duty to stand up for the principles they ran under.
That was Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s response to questions Thursday about his party’s recent string of floor-crossings that, aside from helping Prime Minister Mark Carney cobble together a possible majority government, have caused concern about the state of the party.
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“Members of Parliament should stand up for the party and the principles that they said they would when they are looking people in the eye in their elections,” Poilievre said during a Thursday news conference in Richmond, B.C.
“If you ran in an election, you went out and said to little old ladies, to veterans, to truckers, to single moms that you were going to stand up for the Conservative platform or affordability, safety and national sovereignty — and to do so as part of the Conservative party.”
Marilyn Gladu latest Tory MP to jump ship
On Wednesday, Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong MP Marilyn Gladu dropped a bombshell that she was leaving the Tories for the Liberals — a party whose policies she’d long railed against — bringing the Carney government to within one seat of majority rule.
“The past year has been like no other that Canada has ever faced and I’ve heard clearly from constituents that you want serious leadership and a real plan to build a stronger and more independent Canadian economy,” Gladu said in a statement emailed to reporters Wednesday morning.
“That is why I have decided to join Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada’s new government as the newest member of his caucus. It is a privilege to have served as your member of Parliament for more than a decade and I have made a choice to do the best thing for our community’s priorities, and importantly, for our country.”
Her defection came just 49 days after Edmonton Riverbend MP Matt Jeneroux left for the Liberals , joining former caucus mates Acadie—Annapolis MP Chris d’Entremont and Markham—Unionville MP Michael Ma .
On Thursday, Poilievre said MPs who switch parties should be subject to recall petitions and automatic byelections.
“That would put the people back in charge of our democracy rather than having dirty, backroom Liberal deals by Mark Carney,” he said.
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Room for all under Liberal tent, Carney says
Questions about Gladu’s previous statements on controversial issues, including abortion and opposition to a bill banning conversion therapy, prompted concern and consternation among Liberal party members and even former MPs on how big the Liberals are expected to make their tent to accommodate such views.
During a news conference Thursday in Quebec, Carney maintained that a women’s right to choose is a sacrosanct party policy.
“I had discussions and colleagues had discussions about Ms. Gladu and about those issues,” Carney told reporters.
“She will vote with the government if there are votes related to any aspect of that issue, as well as the rights of Canadians to be their whole selves, to love who they love and to fully enjoy their rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”
Carney ducked questions on if Gladu’s views represent those of the party under his leadership, but said anybody wanting a seat at his caucus table must be aligned with the party’s views.
“People who are joining the Liberal party at this critical time and supporting us … recognize those clear policy positions, those values — that’s where we’ll go, that’s what we’ll support, that’s what we will advance,” he said.
“(What) the MPs who joined the Liberal party have brought is a series of perspectives and expertise that is aiding the government and the country at a crucial time.”
Questions surrounding Poilievre’s leadership
Carney said Gladu’s two decades of business experience and over a decade spent as a parliamentarian make her a valuable addition to the Liberal caucus.
Gladu’s departure set tongues wagging on Parliament Hill and beyond about the future of the Poilievre Conservatives, particularly amid persistent rumours that other MPs are looking to make similar exits.
When asked on Thursday about his future as leader, Poilievre maintained he isn’t going anywhere.
“The reflection comes from the record-smashing 8.3 million Canadians who voted Conservative in the last election and the 87% of grassroots Conservatives who backed up my leadership less than 90 days ago to fight for an affordable, safe and strong Canada,” he said.
“Our mandate — and my leadership — does not come from dirty backroom deals, it comes from the people of Canada.”