The Deep Dive examines Bill C-278, the private member’s bill introduced by NDP parliamentary leader Don Davies that would amend the Parliament of Canada Act so that an MP who moves into a different registered party triggers a vacancy in their Commons seat.
Key points from the analysis:
- The rule would apply in two cases: an MP elected for one registered party who joins another, and an MP elected without affiliation who later joins a registered party. The leader of the receiving party would notify the Speaker, who would notify the Chief Electoral Officer.
- One exception remains: an MP could leave a caucus and sit outside any party without immediately triggering the vacancy rule.
- The NDP frames the measure as a voter-mandate bill — an MP wanting to change parties should either win a byelection or sit as an independent until the next general election.
- The bill follows floor crossings that factored into Prime Minister Mark Carney’s path to a 174-seat majority in the 343-seat House of Commons, which the NDP characterizes as the first Canadian majority formed through floor crossing rather than a general election.
- It also follows a legal campaign targeting Conservative-to-Liberal MP Marilyn Gladu’s recent move.
Read the full analysis at The Deep Dive. The text of Davies’ bill and statement is available from the NDP.