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Nunavut MP Lori Idlout Joins Liberals, Pushing Carney Within Two Seats of Majority

The latest defection turns the April 13 by-elections into a potential clincher for a razor-thin Liberal majority.

Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with Lori Idlout in the Prime Minister's office in West Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on March 10, 2026.
MP for Nunavut Lori Idlout rises in the House of Commons, Feb.13, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Mark Carney with Nunavut MP Lori Idlout on Parliament Hill yesterday.
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives at Parliament with MP for Nunavut Lori Idlout, who crossed the floor from the NDP to the Liberals, in Ottawa on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Overview

  • Idlout’s switch lifts the Liberals to 170 seats and leaves the NDP with just six MPs in the House of Commons.
  • She said she moved to better advance Nunavut and Arctic priorities, citing sovereignty concerns and pressures on Northern well-being.
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed her to caucus, calling her contribution invaluable and pointing to planned work on Nunavut projects.
  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre denounced the move as backroom dealing, while the NDP urged a by-election to let Nunavut voters decide.
  • By-elections on April 13 in University–Rosedale, Scarborough Southwest and Terrebonne could deliver a narrow Liberal majority, though Speaker conventions would still complicate passing legislation.