Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals just won another floor-crosser a few days before three byelections on Monday, and a day before the Liberal Party Convention. 

On Wednesday, four-time Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu, Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong, became the fourth crosser to join the liberal party. 

Gladu framed the move as a response to her constituents calling for “serious leadership” and economic action. 

“The past year has been like no other that Canada has ever faced, and I’ve heard clearly from constituents that you want serious leadership and a real plan to build a stronger and more independent Canadian economy,” Gladu said in a statement on Wednesday. 

“That is why I have decided to join Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada’s new government as the newest member of his caucus,” she said.

READ MORE: The Liberals add another floor crosser. What does that mean for the parliamentary math?

Gladu argues that joining the governing caucus would better deliver for her riding in priorities like job creation, housing, defence and trade diversification.

The MP also invokes Sarnia–Lambton’s history as a “bellwether” that typically backs the party in power, suggesting her decision reflects both an opportunity and a responsibility to work more collaboratively within government.

“That is the approach I will advance as the newest member of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s team in government, as we work together to build a brighter future for all in a stronger Canada.”

The crossing gives Carney’s Liberals a modest boost in the House, tightening their grip on power just days before Monday’s byelections in Toronto area ridings, University-Rosedale and Scarborough Southwest, and Montreal area riding of Terrebonne .

Gladu’s crossing brings the Liberal caucus to 171 seats in the House of Commons.

More to come…