Article – With election speculation swirling through Ottawa corridors, whispers of potential floor crossings from the New Democratic Party to the Liberal fold have grown from quiet murmurs to substantive speculation.
Multiple sources within both parties confirm the Liberals have made discrete overtures to several NDP MPs, hoping to strengthen their minority position ahead of a possible spring election. The maneuvers come as the Liberal-NDP supply and confidence agreement faces increasing strain over disagreements about the pace and scope of healthcare and housing initiatives.
“There’s legitimate frustration within our caucus about the implementation timeline of dental care and pharmacare programs,” a senior NDP staffer told me last week, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Some members feel the Liberals are taking our support for granted while dragging their feet on key promises.”
Vancouver Kingsway MP Don Davies, the NDP’s health critic and a respected 15-year parliamentary veteran, has reportedly received particular attention from Liberal strategists. When approached about these reports outside the House of Commons, Davies offered a careful non-denial: “I remain committed to delivering results for Canadians. My focus continues to be universal pharmacare legislation.”
The Prime Minister’s Office declined specific comment on potential floor crossings, with a spokesperson providing only a boilerplate statement about “working collaboratively with all parliamentarians who share our progressive values.”
Public signals of this courtship emerged last month when Davies received unusual praise from Health Minister Mark Holland during committee hearings on pharmacare implementation. “Mr. Davies has shown exceptional understanding of the complexities involved,” Holland remarked, raising eyebrows among opposition members more accustomed to partisan sparring.
Polling data suggests why such maneuvers might appeal to both sides. A recent Abacus Data survey shows the Conservatives maintaining a stubborn 8-point lead nationally, with 37% support compared to the Liberals’ 29%. The NDP sits at 18%, but faces potential seat losses in British Columbia and Ontario based on riding-level projections.
For perspective, I spoke with Mélanie Richer, former NDP communications director under Jagmeet Singh. “Floor crossings always reflect a complex mix of principle and political calculation,” she explained. “MPs consider both policy alignment and their personal electoral prospects. The Liberals can offer cabinet positions and safer seats that might look appealing as Conservative numbers rise.”
The history of floor crossings in Canadian politics reveals their high-risk nature. Former Liberal MP Leona Alleslev‘s 2018 defection to the Conservatives initially earned her a promotion to deputy opposition leader, but she ultimately lost her Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill seat in the subsequent election.
In Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant coffee shops, where I spoke with voters in Davies’ neighboring riding, reactions were mixed but leaned negative. “It feels like betrayal when MPs switch parties,” said Eliza Chen, a healthcare worker. “We vote for the party platform as much as the person.”
Some Canadians I interviewed expressed more understanding. “If an MP truly believes they can do more good elsewhere, shouldn’t they follow that conviction?” asked Mark Saunders, a teacher from Burnaby. “Though admittedly, it should probably trigger a by-election.”
The Parliamentary tradition itself doesn’t require MPs who change parties to face voters in a by-election. Once elected, members legally represent their riding regardless of party affiliation. This practice differs from some democracies where proportional representation systems tie seats more directly to parties.
Tensions within the NDP caucus have reportedly intensified following the government’s fall economic statement, which NDP sources claim failed to deliver sufficient resources for the promised pharmacare program. The legislation satisfies a key requirement of the confidence agreement but questions remain about implementation funding.
“This puts our members in an impossible position,” said a veteran NDP campaign strategist. “Support a watered-down version of our signature policy or pull support and potentially trigger an election from a position of weakness.”
Inside Liberal circles, party strategists view potential floor crossings as
