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Crossing the Floor
The complete record of every politician who switched parties without facing voters — from Confederation to this week. Who crossed, why they did it, and what it cost them.
Total Crossings
218
Federal
140
Provincial
78
Got Cabinet
42
Crossed the floor and received a cabinet post
Did You Know?
In 2014, Sana Hassainia crossed from NDP to Independent. Hassainia disagreed with NDP leader Thomas Mulcair's position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She left the party over it.
Read the full story →Five Patterns of Floor-Crossing
From Confederation to last week, the same five stories keep repeating.
The Immediate Reward
Some politicians are given a cabinet post on the very same day they cross. Examples: Belinda Stronach (2005), David Emerson (2006), Jack Horner (1977), Brendan Maguire (2024). The message is clear - your vote has a price, and the price is a promotion.
The Delayed Reward
Some receive their reward later - a Senate appointment, a regulatory job, a spot on a government board. Hazen Argue (1962) got a Senate seat years later. Frank Carvell (1917) got a well-paid railway job after leaving Parliament.
The Career Ender
For many, crossing the floor destroys their career. Maxime Bernier (2018) lost his safe seat. Paul Hellyer (1971) never held office again. The voters punish disloyalty more often than they reward it.
The Principled Stand
The most admirable crossings are the ones that cost the person everything. John Nunziata (1996) was expelled for standing by a promise. Brent Rathgeber (2013) gave up a safe seat to protest Prime Ministerial control. George William Andrews (1919) lost his career standing up for workers.
The Power Play
Sometimes crossing the floor is a weapon. The 7 Bloc MPs who left in 2018 were trying to remove their leader - and it worked. Danielle Smith's 2014 mass crossing was a strategic gamble - and it backfired spectacularly.
Latest Crossings
View all →M
Maïté Blanchette Vézina
2026NotableCoalition Avenir Québec → Conservative Party of QuebecMNAQuebec
2/5
Blanchette Vézina, CAQ MNA and former cabinet minister, crossed to the Conservative Party of Quebec in 2026.
Changed Beliefs
L
Lori Idlout
2026NotableNew Democratic Party → LiberalMPNunavut
3/5
Idlout, NDP MP for Nunavut, crossed to the Liberals in early 2026, joining the governing party to better advocate for Inuit and northern issues from within government.
Joined Government
Marilyn Gladu
2026NotableConservative → LiberalMPOntario
3/5
Gladu was the fourth Conservative MP to cross the floor to the Liberals during the 45th Parliament. A veteran MP first elected in 2015, she joined Prime Minister Mark Carney's g…
Joined Government
Matt Jeneroux
2026NotableConservative → LiberalMPAlberta
4/5
Jeneroux was the third Conservative to join the Liberals. He represents Edmonton-Riverbend - deep in Alberta Conservative country. An Alberta Conservative joining the Liberals i…
Joined Government
T
Tara Armstrong
2025BC Conservative → IndependentMLABritish Columbia
0/5
Armstrong, BC Conservative MLA, left the party caucus in 2025 amid disagreements with party leadership.
Kicked Out
D
Dallas Brodie
2025BC Conservative → IndependentMLABritish Columbia
0/5
Brodie, BC Conservative MLA, left the party caucus in 2025 amid internal disputes, sitting as an independent.
Kicked Out