March 11, 2026
RED FM News Desk
In a significant political shift, Nunavut MP Lori Idlout has officially crossed the floor to join the Liberal Party, leaving the NDP and moving Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to the brink of a majority. Late Tuesday night, NDP interim leader Don Davies confirmed the departure in a statement, expressing that he was “deeply disappointed” by Idlout’s decision.
The move significantly alters the balance of power in the House of Commons. The Liberals now hold 170 seats, leaving them just two seats shy of a 172-seat majority. Conversely, the NDP has been further marginalized, now holding only six seats. Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed Idlout on social media, stating he was “honored” to have her join the Liberal caucus and described her voice as an “invaluable contribution” to the government.
The timing of the defection is particularly awkward for the NDP, as it comes just as voting has begun to select a successor to former leader Jagmeet Singh. The results of the leadership race are expected at the end of this month. Don Davies criticized the move, arguing that any elected representative who changes parties should have to return to the voters in a by-election. Notably, just last week, Idlout had publicly endorsed Avi Lewis for the NDP leadership.
Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday personally escorted Idlout into her first Liberal caucus meeting. He described the 51-year-old MP as a “down-to-earth” individual and noted they have already engaged in deep discussions regarding both major and minor issues affecting Nunavut. For her part, Idlout clarified that her decision was not prompted by a single incident but was the result of multiple factors that forced her to reflect on her political future.
In a statement released through the Liberal Party, Idlout hailed Mark Carney as the “first Prime Minister to truly come from the North” and expressed her readiness to work with him at this “critical turning point in history.” Idlout, who was first elected in 2021 and narrowly held her seat in the 2025 election by just 41 votes, stated that her constituents in Nunavut believe this is a crucial time for both the territory and the country. She emphasized the urgent need for policies that accurately represent the culture, language, and rights of the Inuit people and all Northern Canadians.
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