Chrystia Freeland officially resigned her seat in the House of Commons on Friday, reducing the Liberal government’s parliamentary strength. This comes at a time when the Liberals are close to securing a majority government.
Shifting Numbers in Parliament
Freeland’s departure follows a period of change in the House of Commons since December. The Liberals gained a seat when Michael Ma, formerly a Conservative MP, crossed the floor to join the governing party. This followed Chris d’Entremont’s earlier defection to the Liberals in November. Ma’s move brought Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to within one seat of a majority, a position now altered by Freeland’s resignation.
Freeland’s former riding is considered a safe seat for the Liberals, but will remain vacant when Parliament resumes later this month. The government has between 11 and 180 days to call a byelection following notification of the vacancy.
Confidence and Upcoming Votes
The narrow passage of the Liberals’ budget motion this fall highlighted the importance of every vote in the current Parliament. A failed budget vote could have triggered an election. The government is guaranteed at least one confidence vote during the winter session, concerning spending estimates, which must occur by the end of March.
Additionally, the Liberals’ budget implementation bill will be reviewed by committee and require a third reading vote before being sent to the Senate, a vote also considered a matter of confidence.
Potential for Further Byelections
Freeland has accepted a role advising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and indicated her departure from Canadian politics. However, she may not be the only MP leaving Parliament soon. Prime Minister Carney stated he anticipates calling multiple byelections, though specific locations were not mentioned.
Currently, Freeland’s seat is the only vacancy. However, reports suggest that B.C. MP Jonathan Wilkinson and Toronto MP Bill Blair, both former cabinet ministers, are expected to be appointed to diplomatic positions, which would necessitate byelections in their ridings. Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux is also expected to vacate his seat in the coming year, having decided against crossing the floor to join the Liberals.
Prime Minister Carney has suggested that some opposition MPs are considering joining the Liberals, with NDP MP Lori Idlout confirming she was approached but has, “at this point,” decided against a floor crossing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens after Chrystia Freeland’s resignation?
The Speaker of the House of Commons will notify the chief electoral officer, beginning a process that could lead to a byelection in Freeland’s former riding. The government has 11 to 180 days to call the byelection.
Could these byelections lead to an election?
The outcome of any byelections, combined with upcoming confidence votes on spending estimates and the budget implementation bill, could impact the stability of the Liberal government. A loss of confidence could trigger a general election.
Are other MPs considering leaving their seats?
B.C. MP Jonathan Wilkinson and Toronto MP Bill Blair are reportedly expected to be appointed to diplomatic positions, which would require them to resign their seats and trigger further byelections. Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux is also expected to vacate his seat.
How might these shifting dynamics in Parliament influence the government’s ability to pass legislation and maintain stability?
