Nunavut MP Lori Idlout crossing floor to join Liberals: NDP leader
‘We’re very disappointed,’ says interim NDP Leader Don Davies in statement; no word yet from Idlout
Nunavut MP Lori Idlout speaks alongside NDP interim Leader Don Davies during a press conference in February. Idlout is crossing the floor and joining the Liberals, Davies says. (File photo by Jorge Antunes)
Nunavut MP Lori Idlout is crossing the floor of Parliament to join the Liberals, says Don Davies, the New Democratic Party’s interim leader.
“We’re very disappointed that Lori Idlout has decided to join the Liberal caucus,” Davies said in a news release, sent late Tuesday night.
“The position of the New Democrats on floor-crossing is longstanding and clear. We believe that when someone rejects the decision of their electors and wants to join another party, they should put that decision to their voters.”
He added: “In a democracy, something as important as the choice of party representation in Parliament must always remain with our constituents. We believe that should happen here.”
Idlout herself has not commented on Davies’ revelation. She has not responded to a request for comment from Nunatsiaq News.
Last May, after the federal election, Nunatsiaq News asked Idlout if she was considering crossing the floor then to join the Liberals.
“It’s really hard for me to consider crossing the floor knowing what the realities and what failures Liberals have done for Nunavummiut, so it’ll be something that I will not make a rash decision about,” Idlout said at the time.
On Tuesday, Justice Minister Sean Fraser was among the first Liberals to acknowledge Idlout crossing the floor, sharing a photo of the pair together on X and calling her “a tireless advocate for Nunavut.”
Idlout’s profile on the Parliament of Canada’s official website still lists the NDP as her party affiliation.
Idlout was first elected as Nunavut’s NDP MP in 2021. She was narrowly re-elected last year, getting just 41 more votes than Liberal candidate Kilikvak Kabloona.
Throughout her tenure, Idlout has been vocally critical of the Liberal party, notably over changes to funding and administration of the Inuit Child First Initiative.
When Prime Minister Mark Carney was trying to pass his government’s first budget last November, Idlout was one of four MPs to abstain from the final vote, resulting in the bill passing by a margin of 170 in favour and 168 against.
The news about Idlout emerged as NDP members have begun voting for a new leader, set to be selected by March 29.
Idlout crossing the floor would bring the Liberals’ seat count to 170, just two seats shy of the 172 needed to form a majority government.
Earlier this week, Carney announced the dates for three byelections in two Toronto-area ridings and one in Quebec.
Wins by the Liberals in those byelections — along with floor crossings by Idlout and three Conservatives — would move Carney’s Liberal minority government into a majority government position in Parliament.
Lori you are a traitor to the people of Nunavut.
She’s not a traitor she’s doing what she feels is right for the territory. I voted for Lori not the ndp
Why does it seem that anybody who tries to fix and help Nuvavut iis always turns into a shame game. It’s like toxic. For inuit to always be bullied online.
She’s a traitor to her party, that’s true. Not that the NDP has much support here.
The biggest travesty in this is we could have had a competent Liberal MP last spring. Instead we have something worse.
I wouldn’t say she is a traitor but in someways in the context of how the liberals like to infantilize and victimhood all indigenous and inuit across Canada – this move is curious to say the least.
While it’s evident both parties (conservatives and liberals) haven’t done a good job at having the best interest of indigenous and inuit across Canada. The issue isn’t specific to those certain groups. Both parties have neglected the needs of all Canadians to promote these weirdo toxic contemporary ideologies that clearly only serve the politicians and the weirdo grifters that latch on.
Simply put, I believe in indigenous and inuit knowledge far more than I could ever believe in the idea that the evil old white man ruined indigenous and inuit. The poor ol’ indigenous and inuit ideological trope is pathetic and it’s the liberals who keep patronizing this idea.
Congratulations Lori! The right move for Nunavut. I think the majority of Nunavut wanted to see that!
Keep up the hard work!
Not fair to liberals who voted for Karen Kabloona. Lori, are you a pretend NDP or liberal? You know how to break up relationships politucally and personal. Wavering politician.
It’s hilarious to me this website moderate’s completely normal comments.
I didn’t vote for her and the NDP so she could cross over to the liberals. You should resign and run in a by election under the liberal banner. This is not right.
Lori has zero integrity. What a disappointment.
A great move for Lori. She will be guaranteed the Liberal nomination in the next election, and Nunavut will in all likelihood go Liberal so she can increase her pension with another term. A good move for her personally but what about all of the voters who voted for an NDP candidate in the last election. What about those voters who were dissatisfied with the Liberal government and wanted a New Democrat in parliament to speak for us. I guess those votes ended up not counting because Lori needed to do what is best for her.
Lori was criticizing the liberal government earlier on the same day that the floor crossing was announced. Is this a principled decision? We know the answer to that. Floor crossing is and will always be wrong. It disrespects voters and rewards self interested politicians. We deserve so much better.
After this Lorinwouldhave trouble getting elected back to the DEA. There has never, ever been a floor crosser who does well in subsequent elections.
I think Lori knows this and decided to cash in with the promise of fat contracts for her consulting firm and/or her large cache of B&Bs after the next election.
She never did have sharp political instincts, but she stood up for us. Now she’s going to be an irrelevant backbencher with no influence who gets told when to show up for photo-ops in Iqaluit. Before now, the Liberals needed her vote. Now, they will just tell her how to vote.
Shame.
“There has never, ever been a floor crosser who does well in subsequent elections.”
… except for that time Leona Alleslev won the 2015 election as a Liberal, crossed the floor from the Liberals to the Conservatives in 2018, and then won in the 2019 election as a Conservative?
The NDP have a longstanding policy against floor crossing. Lori betrayed those who voted her in and by such a slim margin.
This is not gratitude, it is a slap in the face. We did not vote NDP because we wanted Liberal, or any other party. This is shameful.
I hope it was worth it.
Way to go Lori! I wish you every success! You are a strong and able person whose heart and goodwill for Nunavummiut will be a very strong voice on issues central to our needs! In today’s uncertain times globally, especially where it comes to arctic sovereignty, having you as our federal Member of Parliament representative is reassuring. The work required to improve Nunavummiut’s pressing needs for increasing housing, addressing food security, improving basic infrastructure to meet our basic needs stands a much chance with your very strong voice in the House! Congratulations and best wishes for every success!
I do not care what party a person belongs to, and although I support none of the main parties in the House of Commons, I have always agreed with the NDP stance on floor-crossing which has been consistent for decades. Former MP Peter Stoffer tried multiple times to pass legislation that would require a person to resign and run in a by-election if they chose to join another party. At this rate, we should all be voting Rhino. We know they cannot keep their promises because they are at least open about that. And they are funny.
Good for Nunavut. Sucks for NDPs. At least she can get things done now without opposition.
Floor crosser are something that voters have to learn to live with. It’s politics.
Floor crossing should trigger an automatic by-election. Angry Lori is a traitor!
Nunavut Inuit generally dont vote for a particular party or platform. We vote for the person running. That’s why Lori won the last election even amidst the polarizing politics.
She has spent the last few months hearing from constituents about what they want her to do. I’m pleased that she took the time to hear people out and to make a well considered decision.
The comment section isn’t convincing me or anyone else, otherwise. It’s a shame we can’t get more of NN’s regular trolls and bots to crossover to the brighter side. Yawn.
No worries at all. We Inuit do not vote for parties,…we vote for the person, don’t matter which party they are in. In any case, let’s see if we can be united with the majority of Canadians. Well done, Lori.
Well with the extinction of the NDP were now pretty much a 2 party system.
It is amusing to read some of the comments here regarding NDP, Lori Idlout’s decision to cross the floor to the LPC. While one might question the validity or honor of changing parties and allegiances mid-game and what mechanisms should be in place when such things occur (such as having to resign and run again under the new party banner, etc..). It is fair to ask the question to the diehard NDP supporters who are in an uproar in the comment section here. That question is simple. What have the 7 members, NONPARTY status NDP, done for Nunavummiut exactly? Other than trying to remain remotely relevant by barking at the moon and trying to call out anything they can related to LPC announcements or actions designed to help Nunavummiut.
In the last election 62.6% of Nunavummiut’s voted for the other parties. Lori, running for the NDP, won the election by 41 votes. Here is the thing for all you NDP’ers so hurt by the crossing of the floor. In an election, if you choose the candidate that has absolutely NO chance of being part of the ruling government or official opposition; then you have basically condemned yourself to sitting on the sideline (not even in uniform) while the game gets played without your participation.
Unfortunately, in Nunavut, those currently commenting and condemning Lori’s “betrayal” (not the right word) are the very same people who complain incessantly and loudly that the Federal Government is, “no doing enough” for Nunavummiut, “not giving enough”, “not solving problems” or “ignorant to the challenges”. Yet right now, those very same people who now have their representative sitting in the ruling government; will now complain and squawk about the betrayal of crossing the floor. Instead of celebrating about the new voice they now have directly within the ruling party to address the things they previously complained about.
Fascinating don’t you think?
Before we jump to calling Lori Idlout a “traitor” for crossing the floor, maybe we should ask a simple question: what did Nunavut get out of it?
Did she secure the Inuit Child First Initiative food supports as a permanent program?
Did she get a major infrastructure project funded for the territory?
Did she negotiate increased funding for communities?
If she crossed the floor and delivered something meaningful for Nunavummiut, then I have no issue with that. Our MP’s job is to bring results back to the territory no matter which party they ran with.
But if she made the move and got nothing in return for Nunavut, then that’s a real waste of political leverage.
Before judging, let’s see what commitments or investments she actually secured for the territory.
How does this square for Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ)? Maybe Ikajuqtigiinniq,
Working together for a common cause.
IQ is a construct of the GN and exists only on posters and as a webpage. Even the Inuit orgs don’t tout or follow IQ. The only purpose it serves is to stamp out debate on a topic.
IQ principles and Inuit Societal Values always reminded me of memorizing the 10 Commandments in Sunday School prior to confirmation. A great guide to follow to live a moral life. But largely ignored regardless of how prominently they are displayed, whether in a Church or an office.
Now we’re sure to get the JP Food Voucher Program back, right? RIGHT, Lori?
This is great news. Sometimes we need to make changes in order to do whats right. Sitting in Parliament in Ottawa with no party status was not what Nunavut needs. Asking permission to another MP just to speak is not what Nunavut needs.Being in the Liberals. Lori now has a voice, will be on committee meetings and can speak up for Nunavut. Oh and lets not forget Lori was with the Liberals before . So she has shown she is willing to work with others t do whats best for Nunavut and Canada
Floor crossing has been inplace as long as parliament.has existed. If she had gone conservative or green or block would the comments be different. This move is better than the maneuvering used when a leader looses his riding by a large margin then approaches elected MP for his party, asks them to step aside so he can get elected in a guaranteed seat and retain his party leadership. But that is ok because it’s a conservative maneuver. Politics is challenging and the only guarantee of any decision made by anyone will be considered wrong by half the voters. That’s life , move on, hang in there Lori safe in the knowledge that whatever you do as a politician will never please everyone. Just do the work and be satisfied with yourself.
Will Jack Anawak be rejoining the Liberals too?
Maybe he’ll run against her – for the NDP?
I’m happy for the LIberal party, I agree with comments when the NDP didn’t have enough seats to matter a by-election should have occurred for all NDP members of parliament. That would be fair to voters.
Blah blah blah, I don’t like her but she did the right thing for Nunavut, but is a politic survivor, and will get programs for Nunavut that have been delayed, and the NDP are a beaten party in all of Canada, and Carney needs a majority to deal with the world chaos, nobody wants an election right now.
I voted for the NDP, but at the same time I understand that political parties are not that important in Nunavut, the candidate is more important. Lori has access to information that we are not privy to in terms of what’s coming and she made her decision accordingly.
I just hope that promises made to Lori for the benefit of Nunavummiut will be upheld by the current government. Otherwise she will have no more power and nobody left to fight for her and Nunavut. Let’s see what announcements are made in the next months.
Plus, some stability for a few years is better than going back to vote and potentially electing a Trump-like individual at the head of Canada. The West can be happy, Carney is quite to the right and is giving them things they’ve asked for. It sucks that all of Canada has to be pulled to the right though. I’m hoping that the West understands what system is better for everyone once oil prices go down so much that oil patches are not economically viable and that other provinces have to support them. Then, they’ll see how thinking collectively is better for all.
I recognize floor crossing happens and would prefer that MP’s resign and run in a byelection if they are choosing a different party. Also, recognize that is not how it is.
However, I will submit that the west has paid more into transfer payments to other Provinces and Territories than they have ever received. Hoping for lower oil prices affects these payments and actually weakens Canada.
As Nunavut gets most of its income from transfer payments, and has large deposits of Iron, Uranium, critical minerals, etc., I hope Lori, and the Liberals, are looking at ways that these can also support all of Canada.
This shows us what a strong and courageous woman Lori is. It also shows how much she is willing to do in order to get things done for Nunavut. Now that she is a member of the Liberal party (who is the leading party of Canada is people didn’t realize) it will be 100% easier for her to bring Nunavut’s issues to the attention of the decision makers (the Ministers and the Prime Minister) because they will actually care about what she says now that she is ‘part of the family’ and because she ‘crossed the floor’ so she is now known to them. As a Liberal Member she can get involved with the appropriate committees and actually be involved in order to make sure that the right decisions are made. As an NDP member she was just yelling at the government from across the floor and ‘knocking at their door’ being an annoying ‘nobody’ from a useless party and she couldn’t get involved properly in order to make a difference. She can also now provide in government and to government about what it’s like in Nunavut and about what Nunavut needs, instead of just in the House and just when the Ministers make their ‘photo visits’ to Nunavut because she will be able to speak with her party members whenever she wants to as she is a part of them.
People should learn about government and how it works before they start making big deals about things. You should know that in order for Nunavut to thrive our MP needs to be a part of the leading Party so that they can rely on their members and so that they can make sure that Nunavut doesn’t get lost in the wind. So please lets be happy and be proud of Lori for having the strength to do this and how about those of you who have no knowledge keep it quiet. Thank you Lori for doing this. You are awesome!!!
Karen Kabloona must be some upset!
Although I am happy that our MP is now a member of the leading party and can do more work for Nunavut now, I think that Karen would have been a great MP and that she would have been a great representative for Nunavut. We could have been getting much more done earlier if we had voted for the party that was going to be leading the government instead of the person that we liked but unfortunately Nunavut has become a very arrogant place that doesn’t look past the person. I remember when we would actually look at the bigger picture and think about what is good in the longrun. Now Lori will be able to do more with the Liberals than she could do with the NDP and that is great. Perhaps us Nunavumuit can make sure to vote for the right party, that will lead the government, next time so that this does not need to happen again.
LOL and you people voted for her, why on earth are you voting for NDP anywise, its not a real party! You people that voted her in are no different then the people that voted in Trump! What’s wrong with you people? “I’m voting NDP” WHY? so they can do nothing for me!
Representing people is never easy, but trying to find the right balance to serve the people of Nunavut in a dead party can be a nightmare scenario. As Nunavut voters, I take this as a win. We now have a voice and an ear from the federal government, through our MPs eyes. Will done Lori as this was a difficult decision to make but a necessary one for the people of Nunavut. To the party hacks, your loss, Nunavut and Canada’s gain.