Carney says Gladu will vote with government on abortion, LGBTQ rights

Prime Minister Mark Carney says former Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu will “vote with the government” on all matters regarding abortion and LGBTQ rights after she became the latest politician to join the Liberal caucus.

Gladu’s decision to cross the floor yesterday brings Carney’s government within one seat of a functional majority. However, the move has sparked controversy due to Gladu’s past socially conservative stances.

Carney told reporters today he has had discussions with Gladu about her “core values” following her departure from the Conservative Party.

“She will vote with the government if there are any votes relating to any aspect of that issue,” Carney said, referring specifically to abortion.

Gladu, the MP for Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong, has previously held positions that contrast with the Liberal platform. While running for the Conservative leadership in 2020, she stated she would allow caucus members to bring forward private members’ bills to restrict abortion. She also previously voted against legislation to outlaw conversion therapy.

Carney emphasized today that as a Liberal MP, Gladu is expected to adhere to the party’s established positions.

“We’ve run 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,” Carney said. “Those clear policy positions, those values, that’s where we will go, that’s what we will support, that’s what we will advance.”

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Carney defended the decision to welcome Gladu, citing her professional background and experience.

“She has more than two decades of business experience. She’s an engineer, she’s an experienced parliamentarian,” Carney said. “The MPs who have joined the Liberal Party have brought a series of perspectives and expertise that is aiding the country and the government at a crucial time.”

Gladu is the fifth MP to cross the floor since November and the fourth to arrive from the Conservative benches.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre slammed the move today, criticizing members who switch parties between elections.

“If you ran in an election, you went out and you said to little old ladies, to veterans, to truckers, to single moms that you were going to stand up for the Conservative platform of affordability, safety and national sovereignty — and to do so as part of the Conservative Party that people voted for — then you should respect those people and honour your word,” Poilievre said.

With Gladu’s addition, the Carney government now holds 171 seats. This puts the Liberals just one seat shy of a majority that would not require the Speaker of the House to break ties. Three byelections on Monday could solidify the majority.

“What Mark Carney is saying is your vote doesn’t count. That he’s going to use backroom dirty deals to reverse the election results in countless ridings, robbing people of their voice,” Poilievre said. “He should respect the democratic will of the Canadian people.”

This comes as the Liberal convention begins today in Montreal. Three byelections scheduled for Monday are expected to dominate conversations at the three-day event.

READ MORE: Liberals meet in Montréal for policy convention ahead of byelections