Little support among Canadians for MPs switching parties: Poll
· Toronto Sun
A new survey didn’t find much support among Canadians for federal politicians continuing to represent their riding if they cross the floor to another party.
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The Angus Reid Institute said new data saw only 26% of respondents being supportive of members of Parliament choosing to switch parties without any consequences.
The survey came on the heels of NDP MP Lori Idlout on Tuesday becoming the fourth MP to cross the floor in recent months to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s governing Liberals.
Idlout’s decision has the Liberals inching closer to a majority on Parliament Hill, which was also helped by three defections in recent months from the Conservative party.
‘Put decision to voters’
Interim NDP Leader Don Davies has said his party believes MPs who cross the floor should have to “put that decision to their voters.”
Idlout, who represents Nunavut, issued a statement through the Liberal party on Tuesday evening that explained her rationale after “much personal reflection” and encouragement from family and supporters.
Idlout said she wants to work for Carney’s government to build a better future for Indigenous communities in her territory.
“Mark Carney is our first prime minister from the North, and at this turning point in our history, I am ready to work with him to build a strong future for Nunavut and for all of Canada,” she wrote .
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Plurality say MPs should step down
A plurality of survey respondents (41%) said they would prefer politicians step down as an MP and re-contest their seat in a byelection if they decide to switch parties.
In addition, more than one in five people (22%) who were surveyed said MPs should be required to serve as an Independent until the next election, while 11% believed they should have to vacate their seat.
While Carney welcomed Idlout to his Liberal caucus , Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the latest floor-crossing in a statement shared to social media Wednesday morning.
“Mark Carney is using back room deals to seize a costly majority that voters rejected, which will enable Liberals to balloon debt, inflate the cost of living, block resources and turn criminals loose on our streets,” Poilievre wrote on X .
“Conservatives will do what we promised voters: fight for a Canada that is affordable, safe and strong at home and unbreakable abroad.”
Mark Carney is using back room deals to seize a costly majority that voters rejected, which will enable Liberals to balloon debt, inflate the cost of living, block resources and turn criminals loose on our streets.
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) March 11, 2026
Conservatives will do what we promised voters: fight for a…
The survey also found Canadians were split along political lines over whether or not MPs crossing the floor to another party would be a good or bad thing — 43% versus 39% — if it led to Carney creating a majority government.
In late January, a Leger poll conducted for Postmedia found slightly more than half of respondents (51%) said it would be unethical for the Liberals to attain a majority government by enticing MPs from other parties.
In addition, two-thirds (67%) believed parties should not be allowed to offer inducements to attract floor-crossers.