This month, Lori Idlout, the MP for Nunavut, became the fourth MP to cross the floor to the Liberal caucus. MP Idlout has represented Nunavut since 2021. She stated her reason for joining the Liberal caucus was that “…we need a strong and ambitious government that makes decisions with Nunavut, not only about Nunavut.”[1] As implied by her statement, joining the government caucus will give MP Idlout more input into government policy and funding decisions that impact her constituents.

The NDP lost official party status after the 2025 election. Consequently, NDP MPs no longer have the right to ask questions daily in question period or hold seats on House of Commons committees.[2] Consequently, their ability to advocate within the House is limited. A former NDP MP, Sven Robinson, who experienced a similar situation when the NDP lost party status after the 1993 election, said that the NDP caucus wasn’t able to exert “any significant pressure” on federal government policy for four years.[3] With increasing interest in arctic sovereignty and a Liberal government desperate for a majority, this is was opportunity for MP Idlout to advocate for how the government invests in and works with Nunavut.

Becoming a Liberal MP also gives MP Idlout access to more resources as a Member of Parliament.  The House of Commons only funds the leaders of the Official Opposition offices for recognized parties. This means less money and less staff for all the NDP caucus members. MP Idlout will not have access to more resources as a government caucus member. With the federal NDP in a rebuilding phase, no sign of an upcoming federal election and the Liberals remaining extremely popular, MP Idlout seized the opportunity to join the Liberal caucus. 

[1] NDP MP Lori Idlout crosses floor to Liberals – National | Globalnews.ca

[2] NDP faces ‘Parliament from hell’ without official party status, says former MP | CBC News

[3] NDP faces ‘Parliament from hell’ without official party status, says former MP | CBC News