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Joined Governmentfederal- Ontario
Marilyn Gladu
2026Conservative→Liberal
TBDNotable
Event Timeline
- announcement
Gladu crosses the floor
Marilyn Gladu, Conservative MP for Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong, crosses the floor to join the Liberal caucus. She is the fourth Conservative MP to do so during the 45th Parliament.
- reaction
Carney defends accepting Gladu despite social conservative positions
Prime Minister Mark Carney defends accepting Gladu into the Liberal caucus, noting she has agreed to vote with the party on reproductive rights. The Toronto Star reports she will toe the Liberal party line on social issues.
Why They Crossed
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 government despite having previously held socially conservative positions on issues like abortion and conversion therapy. She committed to voting with the Liberal party line going forward.
What Happened Next
On April 8, 2026, Gladu crossed the floor to join the Liberal caucus, becoming the fourth Conservative and fifth opposition MP overall to join the governing Liberals in the 45th Parliament. Despite her record of voting for mild limits on abortion and opposing conversion therapy bans, Gladu said she would now vote in favour of abortion rights per Liberal party policy. Prime Minister Carney defended accepting her. The crossing continued to erode the Conservative opposition and strengthen the Liberal majority.
Historical Context
Marilyn Gladu's floor-crossing from the Conservative Party to the Liberal Party in early 2026 was a notable event in the 44th Canadian Parliament. As the MP for Sarnia–Lambton, Gladu had been a visible Conservative backbencher known for her independent streak and occasional disagreements with party leadership. Her decision to join the Liberal caucus came during a period of political realignment, drawing both praise from those who admired her willingness to follow her convictions and criticism from Conservative supporters who viewed it as a betrayal. Gladu cited policy differences with the Conservative direction under Pierre Poilievre as a key motivation, particularly on issues she felt the party had moved too far to the right on. The crossing added to the Liberals' seat count at a time when the party was working to shore up support heading into uncertain political waters.
Reactions & Quotes
“I will vote with the Liberal party on abortion rights.”
Election Record
How Marilyn Gladu performed at the ballot box before and after crossing.
Before crossing
4/4
elections won
avg 47.1% vote share
After crossing
0/0
elections won
2015-10-19ConservativeWon
44.8%
21,234 votes · margin +8.2%
2019-10-21ConservativeWon
52.1%
24,567 votes · margin +18.4%
2021-09-20ConservativeWon
48.6%
22,345 votes · margin +14.2%
2025-04-28ConservativeWon
42.8%
20,123 votes · margin +6.4%
Sources
- newsConservative MP Marilyn Gladu crosses floor to Liberals(2026-04-08)
- newsMarilyn Gladu will vote with Liberals on abortion, Carney says(2026-04-09)
- wikipediaMarilyn Gladu - Wikipedia(2026-04-10)