What is the true value of a citizen's vote in Canada? According to public affairs consultant and political analyst Raphaël Melançon, recent events suggest it may be worth less than many assume. A wave of elected officials switching political parties—known as floor crossing—at both federal and provincial levels has reignited a crucial debate about democratic mandates and political accountability.
Recent Defections Undermine Voter Intent
The latest high-profile example occurred at the federal level. Michael Ma, the Conservative MP for Markham–Unionville in Ontario, defected to the Liberal Party on the final day of the parliamentary session. This move followed a similar switch earlier in the fall by Nova Scotia's Chris d'Entremont, who also left the Conservative caucus to sit as a Liberal MP.
These defections have significant parliamentary consequences. With Ma's move, Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal government now sits just one seat short of a majority in the House of Commons. Many political observers believe the Liberals' continued courtship of other MPs could soon grant the government a de facto majority. Melançon emphasizes a critical point: Canadians did not vote for a Liberal majority just eight months ago in the last general election.
The Principle vs. The Opportunist
Melançon draws a distinction between two types of floor crossers. The first are those who act on principle, often sitting as independents for the remainder of their mandate or resigning to trigger a byelection. The second are opportunists, who typically join another party, especially one in or near power.
A clear example of a principled departure comes from Quebec. Lionel Carmant, the former provincial minister of social services, left the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) caucus this fall. He concluded he could no longer defend Premier François Legault's government on its controversial Bill 2, which faced strong opposition from his physician wife and daughter. Carmant chose to relinquish his cabinet post, sit as an independent, and risk his friendship with Legault to prioritize his family and convictions.
In contrast, the situation of Vincent Marissal, the MNA for Rosemont, raises questions. After quitting Québec solidaire, the newly independent member is now openly flirting with the Parti Québécois (PQ), displaying a newfound passion for Quebec independence. Coincidentally, recent projections favour the PQ to win the Rosemont riding in the 2026 provincial election.
A Call for Stricter Democratic Rules
The core issue, according to Melançon, is that floor crossing often directly contradicts the democratic will of voters. While individuals are elected in specific ridings, most Canadians cast their ballots based on party platform and leader. Switching parties mid-term undermines the mandate voters believed they were granting.
Melançon proposes a straightforward reform to rebuild public trust: If an elected official wishes to leave their party's caucus, they should become an independent. However, if they want to join another party, they must first resign their seat and run in a byelection under their new banner. This allows constituents to explicitly approve or reject the change.
The fall of 2025 has provided a surplus of examples prompting this discussion. Melançon concludes that the job of an elected official is first to be the voice of their community, not to impose personal ambitions or shifting loyalties on the people who elected them. Implementing clear, strict rules on floor crossing would be a tangible step toward showing Canadians and Quebecers that their vote still fundamentally matters.
