The balance of power in Ottawa shifted dramatically Thursday night as rookie lawmaker Michael Ma abandoned the Conservative opposition, bringing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to the precipice of an absolute majority.

For the struggling Conservatives, this is more than a lost seat; it is a symptom of internal bleeding. With 171 seats now secured, the Liberals sit just a single vote shy of the threshold needed to govern without hindrance—a margin that significantly strengthens Carney’s hand in passing economic reforms that could ripple through global markets.

A 24-Hour Political Whiplash

The optics of the defection were as bruising as the arithmetic. In a display of political theater familiar to any Kenyan observer of party-hopping, Ma attended the Conservative Christmas party on Wednesday, posing for photographs with Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre. Less than 24 hours later, he walked onto a stage hosted by the Liberals, flanked by Prime Minister Carney to raucous applause.

Ma, who represents Markham–Unionville, attributed his sudden pivot to a desire for stability. He cited the “steady, practical approach” of the Carney administration as the primary driver for his decision.

“After listening carefully to the people of Markham–Unionville in recent weeks and reflecting with my family on the direction of our country, I have informed the speaker and the leader of the opposition that I will be joining Prime Minister Mark Carney in the government caucus,” Ma stated. “This is a time for unity and decisive action for Canada’s future.”

The Battle Over Affordability

At the heart of this political realignment is the issue of the economy—a topic that resonates deeply from Ottawa to Nairobi. Ma emphasized that the Liberal government is better positioned to “deliver on the priorities I hear every day, including affordability and the economy.”

The reaction from the Conservative camp was swift and scathing. Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre took to social media to denounce the move, framing it as a betrayal of the electorate.

Poilievre argued that Ma “chose to endorse the very policies he was elected to oppose,” specifically accusing the Liberals of driving up the cost of living. “The people he let down the most are the ones who elected him to fight for an affordable future. He will have to answer to them,” Poilievre warned.

Conservatives in Crisis?

This defection is not an isolated incident but part of a worrying trend for the Tories. The opposition has hemorrhaged three lawmakers in recent months:

• November: A Conservative MP crossed the floor to join the Liberals.
• December (Current): Michael Ma defects to the government benches.
• Upcoming: Another Conservative lawmaker has announced intentions to resign in the coming months.

As the Liberals inch closer to a majority, the window for the opposition to block government legislation is rapidly closing. For Kenyans watching the diaspora politics, the situation underscores a universal truth: in times of economic uncertainty, political loyalty is often the first currency to be devalued.