OTTAWA — The NDP says Nunavut MP Lori Idlout has crossed the floor to join the Liberals, pushing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government closer to a majority.

Idlout’s move follows defections to the Liberals by three Conservatives in recent months. The Canadian Press has reached out to the MP for comment but has not yet received a statement.

Interim NDP leader Don Davies issued a statement late Tuesday saying the caucus is “very disappointed” that Idlout chose to join the Liberals.

“The position of the New Democrats on floor crossing is long-standing and clear. We believe that when someone rejects the decision of their electors and wants to join another party, they should put that decision to their voters,” Davies said in his statement.

“In a democracy, something as important as the choice of party representation in Parliament must always remain with our constituents. We believe that should happen here.”

The move leaves the NDP with six seats in the House of Commons.

Idlout is the fourth MP to join the Liberals from the opposition benches since October, following former Conservatives Chris D’Entremont, Michael Ma and Matt Jeneroux.

B.C. Liberal MP Taleeb Noormohamed welcomed Idlout to the Liberal fold in a post on X Tuesday night and said he looks forward to working with her.

The Canadian Press has reached out to the Prime Minister’s Office for comment.

This latest floor crossing could help give the Carney government a majority, as the Liberals now need to win two of three April 13 byelections to have a narrow majority.

In this scenario, the government would still likely need at least one opposition MP to help pass legislation as Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia, a Quebec Liberal, does not vote unless there is a tie.

Traditionally, if the Speaker votes, they opt to maintain the status quo instead of being the deciding factor in passing new legislation.

Two of the seats vacant are in the Toronto area, previously held by former cabinet ministers Chrystia Freeland and Bill Blair.

The Liberals won the Quebec riding of Terrebonne by just one vote, but the Supreme Court later annulled the result of the Montreal-area riding.

Idlout has represented Nunavut in the House of Commons since 2021, and just appeared at an Avi Lewis NDP leadership campaign event in Ottawa last Thursday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on March 10, 2026.

David Baxter and Curtis Ng, The Canadian Press