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A comprehensive history of political floor-crossing in Canada - when elected officials switch parties, and what happens next.
Total Crossings
46
Federal
34
Provincial
12
Received Cabinet
14
Floor-crossers who received a cabinet post after crossing
Our research reveals recurring patterns that explain why politicians cross the floor and what outcomes follow.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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…
Ma was the second Conservative MP to cross to the Liberals. His crossing was especially significant because it brought the Liberals within just one seat of a majority government…
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D'Entremont was a Conservative MP from Nova Scotia who crossed the floor to join Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal government. He was the first of three Conservative MPs to m…