Historical Eras

The first decades of Canadian nationhood, when party lines were fluid and personal loyalty mattered more than party discipline.

The conscription crisis of 1917 caused the largest mass floor crossing in Canadian history, splitting the Liberal Party along linguistic lines.

Economic devastation drove politicians to seek radical new solutions - including starting new parties.

Quebec transformed from a conservative, church-dominated society into a modern, secular one. The sovereignty movement emerged, led by politicians who crossed the floor to build it.

Pierre Trudeau's 16-year dominance reshaped Canadian politics. Floor crossings during this era were often about joining the winning side.

The failure of constitutional reform triggered the founding of the Bloc Québécois and the near-dissolution of Canada in the 1995 referendum.

The Canadian right fractured into three parties, then slowly reunited. Floor crossings were part of the realignment.

Stephen Harper's centralized control of the Conservative caucus drove several MPs out - but also attracted opportunistic crossers like Emerson.

The collapse of BC United (formerly BC Liberals) and mass exodus to the BC Conservatives was the largest provincial floor crossing event in decades.

Three Conservative MPs crossed to join PM Mark Carney's Liberal government - the first significant federal crossings in years.