NDP's Lewis Slams Floor-Crossing, Redefines Progressive Politics

0:00New NDP leader Abby Lewis is calling out politicians switching teams, saying party should actually stand for something. The latest switch happened Wednesday when former conservative MP Marilyn Gladou joined Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals. She's the fifth MP to crossover recently, and the fourth from the conservatives pushing the Liberals to just one sea shy of the 100, 72 needed for a majority in the House of Commons. Lewis, who won the NDP leadership on March 29, slammed Carney for building a massive tent that covers the whole political spectrum. He also pointed fingers that conservative leader Pierre Paulive, saying all these defections show a real leadership crisis over there. The NDP has long pushed for floor crosses to resign and face bi-elections so voters can choose. Canadians are questioning what their votes even mean with all this flipping, Lewis told CTV. He highlighted Gladou's past votes by supporting a bill against sex-selective abortions and opposing a conversion therapy ban to argue she doesn't.

1:01Fit the progressive mold. That opens a wide lane for the NDP as the real alternative. Lewis isn't rushing into a seat himself. He's focused on rebuilding the party first, paying off election debt and building a war chest. Meanwhile, three bi-elections hit Monday 2 in Ontario, one in Quebec that could hand Carney's crew even more power. With the liberals on the edge of a majority and NDP gearing up to fight back, this floor crossing drama is far from over. Lewis is stepping up to redefine what progressive politics looks like in Canada. Canada News Today, powered by AI bringing you what matters.