Nunavut MP Lori Idlout's decision to cross the floor from the NDP to the Liberals puts Prime Minister Mark Carney's government at 170 seats — two short of a majority — with three byelections still to come on April 13.
Idlout said in a media statement that she decided to cross the floor after receiving feedback from constituents and her family.
"I have been hearing clearly from Nunavummiut that this is a crucial moment for Nunavut and for all of Canada," Idlout said in her statement, issued by the Liberal party.
"With new threats against our sovereignty and pressures on the well-being of people throughout the North, we need a strong and ambitious government that makes decisions with Nunavut — not only about Nunavut. The success of that work needs all of our voices."
Interim NDP leader Don Davies broke the news of Idlout's defection Tuesday night. He said the now six-member caucus is "very disappointed" by her decision.
Two Toronto-area byelections were triggered by the resignations of former cabinet ministers Chrystia Freeland and Bill Blair. Both of those ridings are seen as safe seats for the Liberals.
A third byelection has been ordered for the Montreal-area riding of Terrebonne after the Liberals' one-vote win there was annulled by the Supreme Court last month.
The Liberals would have a 172-seat majority even if they win only two of the three contests, but would still likely rely on opposition support to pass legislation.
Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia, a Quebec Liberal, only votes in the event of a tie. The Speaker is expected to maintain the status quo and act as an impartial figure.
That means the Speaker traditionally does not vote to pass new legislation but sides with the government on confidence votes.
Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
