Prime Minister Mark Carney says he spoke to longtime Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu before she crossed the floor to join the Liberals about her previous positions on social issues, and he’s been reassured that “she will vote with the government.”
“To be clear, the Liberal Party always will support the rights of women to choose, always without question. And I had discussions, and colleagues had discussions with Ms. Gladu, about those issues,” Carney said, after announcing the Port of Montreal is the first ‘nation-building’ project to begin construction.
“She will vote with the government if there are votes relating to any aspect of that issue, as well as the rights of Canadians to be their whole selves, to love who they love, and to fully enjoy their rights under the Charters of Rights and Freedoms.”
On Wednesday, Gladu shocked many Canadians across the political spectrum, crossing the floor to join a Liberal government she just days prior was openly sharing criticism of online.
Her rationale — per a Liberal Party of Canada-provided statement to her of Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong, Ont. — constituents was that she thinks at this moment Canadians need “serious leadership and a real plan.”
Carney, happily accepted that characterization when he welcomed her with open arms into his office that afternoon.
“We couldn’t be happier to have this expertise, experience and energy coming to our team,” he said, standing between Gladu and cabinet minister Evan Solomon who was involved in conversations that led to her decision to switch teams.
Liberal sources tell CTV News that Gladu will be front and centre throughout the national Liberal convention, which kicked off Thursday in Montreal. Gladu is expected to make a speech in front of delegates and will have a high profile over the course of the event, including plans to address her controversial views directly.
Reaction to Gladu’s defection was swift and came from all sides. Some progressive, Justin Trudeau-era Liberal supporters questioned the implications of Carney building a tent large enough to include her, New Democrats said it strengthens their case that Carney’s abandoning the left, and her Conservatives resurfaced some of her more infamous past content and comments.
‘Unity doesn’t mean uniformity’
Gladu has been in Parliament since 2015 and has held several opposition critic roles. In 2020, she tried unsuccessfully to run for that party’s leadership.
Over her time in federal politics, Gladu voted against the ban on conversion therapy, compared COVID-19 to polio, vocally backed the 2022 “Freedom Convoy” and has said she’d allow MPs to advance legislation to restrict abortion.
Her floor-crossing prompted anti-abortion advocacy group Campaign Life Coalition to question whether Carney may be ushering in “a long-overdue softening” of the Liberal party’s stance.
“If Gladu’s move signals that Prime Minister Mark Carney is charting a different course in 2026, that would be welcome news indeed,” said Campaign Life Coalition national president Jeff Gunnarson.
According to a government source who spoke with CTV News on Wednesday, Gladu plans to address her controversial statements and has been “frank and open” about them with the prime minister.
The source said Liberals have promised to unite the country, and that “unity doesn’t mean uniformity.”
Carney on Thursday, tripled down on that stance, facing repeated questions from reporters about his decision.
“We’ve ran on a clear platform, clear values, defending the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, defending the right of women to choose, defending same sex marriage, anti conversion therapy, to save you asking that question and people who are joining the Liberal Party at this critical time and supporting us... recognize those clear policy positions, those values,” he said.
“That’s what we will support. That’s what we will advance. What the MPs who have joined the Liberal Party have brought is a series of perspectives and expertise that is aiding the country, the government and the country at a crucial time.”
Carney went on to say that all five of the MPs he’s poached, all bring diverse perspectives from their regions and backgrounds, but ultimately “they all are subscribing to the values of the party.”
Asked if he has any red lines for MPs he wouldn’t allow to join his party based on their past positions, the prime minister didn’t name names, but said he thinks a successful government needs “a mix of expertise.”
PM sheds light on courting
Chatter over Carney’s opposition recruitment prowess – resulting in the party being on the precipice of securing a majority government – is expected to be a main focus on the floor of the convention.
When asked whether additional floor crossers should be expected this weekend, the prime minister said he’s “often the last to know.”
“What has been the case in each of these circumstances, is that the individuals have come to people they know well in the Liberal caucus and expressed an interest in joining and then a conversation has evolved from that,” Carney said. “And near the end of the conversation is when I’ve met with those individuals.”
Solomon, speaking live from the convention with CTV News’ Mike Le Couteur on CTV Power Play, said that “yes,” Liberals are “talking” to other MPs, but wouldn’t put a number on it.
“We’re having conversations with people who are very confident in the prime minister’s mission, and if they want to join and put their shoulder to the wheel, we welcome them to join the party,” he said.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre – facing new scrutiny over the strength of his leadership and caucus management, as a result of Gladu’s decision – has accused Carney of “seizing a costly Liberal majority that voters denied him, and doing so through backroom deals.”
Before taking reporters’ questions in B.C. on Thursday, Poilievre made a point of noting the MPs he had standing behind him “understand that in a democracy, the people are in charge.”
“People should know that their votes count. They should know that when they vote for a party in a community, that the resulting elected MP will serve in that party and push forward that vision.”
Poilievre re-iterated his line of criticism, that Carney is illegitimately acquiring a tighter grip on policy and said he “feels badly” for Gladu’s constituents.
Liberal delegates mixed on Gladu
Speaking to CTV News at the Liberal convention, delegates expressed mixed views about Gladu joining the party and whether it signals Carney is taking the party in a less progressive direction. Some embraced her decision with open arms, and others voiced hesitancy given her history.
“I think that floor-crossing, it’s legitimate, it always has been. The Conservatives didn’t mind when it was in their favour. So why are they crying in their milk now?” said delegate Vicki Rempel.
“She may have an interest in becoming re-elected, but I think that the most important thing to keep in mind, is that each MP is supposed to represent their constituents in the House of Parliament and do what’s in their best interests.”
Summit Ambeault-Wannamaker, a young Liberal, said each floor-crosser should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
“It was a bit unsettling yesterday to see that somebody with some really hardline stances was coming to join the Liberals,” he said.
“But that being said, when we have people like [fellow Conservative floor-crossers] Chris d’Entremont, Matt Generoux, these really wonderful people that stand up for youth, stand up for progressive ideology that the Liberal Party has been really championing for the last few years, we feel at ease.”
Some delegates called Carney’s choice to accept her in to the Liberal fold “pragmatic,” while also expressing hope that she understands, that she’s now part of a party that upholds certain values.
“We will be expecting her to be a good team player,” said Liberal MP Bruce Fanjoy. “It is a big tent, but it’s a big tent united by values.”
With files from CTV News’ Graham Richardson, Rachel Hanes, Spencer Van Dyk and Stephanie Ha
