OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has achieved a parliamentary majority, largely through a series of opposition defections and strong performances in recent byelections.
Following the 2025 federal election that produced a Liberal minority government, five MPs crossed the floor to join the Liberals: Conservatives Chris d’Entremont, Michael Ma, Matt Jeneroux, and Marilyn Gladu, along with NDP MP Lori Idlout. Those moves brought the Liberals close to the 172 seats needed for a majority in the 343-seat House of Commons. On April 13, 2026, the Liberals won all three federal byelections — two in strong Liberal Ontario ridings and one in Quebec — pushing their seat count to 173 or higher and securing outright control.5279cf
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre described the floor crossings as undemocratic, arguing they undermine the choices made by voters in the 2025 election. Critics have raised questions about the legitimacy of a majority achieved partly through defections rather than a fresh general election mandate.
The development has drawn particular attention in Alberta, where online discussions show a noticeable uptick in support for provincial independence. Separatist advocates point to the sequence of events — including an Alberta MP’s floor crossing — as evidence that federal outcomes can shift despite Western voting patterns. Groups collecting signatures for a potential citizen-led referendum on separation report increased engagement in recent days.
Recent polling indicates separatist sentiment in Alberta is at a five-year high. While a majority still prefers to remain in Canada, the rise has coincided with broader frustration over federal policies on energy, taxation, and now parliamentary arithmetic.
Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative government has previously advanced tools for greater provincial autonomy, and independence talk has moved further into mainstream conversation in parts of the province. Online platforms, particularly X, have seen heightened activity with users linking the Ottawa developments directly to arguments for Alberta pursuing its own path.
One widely circulated post captured the sentiment:
“Floor crossings helped hand Carney a majority. Albertans’ votes feel increasingly irrelevant in Ottawa. This is accelerating calls for #AlbertaIndependence. Time to seriously debate our future.”
The combination of a strengthened Liberal government and rising Western discontent sets the stage for continued tension between Ottawa and Alberta in the months ahead.
