“We must move past the divisions”: Julie Dzerowicz defends Floor Crossing in the Canadian Parliament

At a time when party shifts in the federal Parliament continue to fuel intense political debate in Canada, Liberal MP Julie Dzerowicz believes the phenomenon is a normal part of how parliamentary democracy functions. In an interview with Milénio Stadium, the Liberal MP argues that the entry of MPs from other parties is permitted by the Canadian system and reflects, above all, a search for leadership, stability, and unity within an international context she considers unprecedented. Dzerowicz also emphasizes that the priority of the government led by Mark Carney is to protect the country’s sovereignty and ensure Canada’s economic prosperity.

Milénio Stadium: How does the government justify welcoming MPs from other parties while maintaining respect for the democratic choices made by voters in their original ridings?

Julie Dzerowicz: To answer this question, it is of vital importance that Canadians be reminded of the moment we are currently going through, something that was articulated by our Prime Minister in his speech at Davos. The amount of change and transition happening in the world right now is unprecedented. It is also unprecedented that Canada now sees its sovereignty threatened by its largest trading partner and neighbour, the United States of America. It is important for people to understand this so that I can answer this question.

It is also important to remember that our Prime Minister, Mark Carney, and the new Liberal government were re-elected with the promise to, first, protect our sovereignty and defend our country, and second, protect our economic prosperity, both today and in the future.

So, how do we justify welcoming MPs from other parties? Well, this is part of our process. When you look at history, there have been several Liberals who crossed to the Conservative side in previous years. Right now, what we are seeing are Conservatives and NDP members joining the Liberal side. Our system allows for this.

The other parties are only complaining because this isn’t happening in their favour—it’s happening against them. We welcome each and every one of them.

Ultimately, what we must do is find a way to all work together to protect our country, defend our sovereignty, and ensure prosperity by protecting jobs now and in the future. We must move past the divisions that the Conservatives are trying to promote within our country.

MS: In your opinion, is floor crossing a natural part of a functional parliamentary democracy, or does it risk distorting election results?

JD: I believe it is a natural part of a functional parliamentary democracy. Does it risk distorting election results? I don’t believe that is the case. I think it is no small decision to leave your party, which is like a family. Crossing the floor to another party, which becomes a new family, is not something easy to do because you are leaving your family behind. Usually, this is done in consultation with the executive team around you, who supported your candidacy in your riding. It involves fundamental leadership and support across the entire constituency.

MS: What would you say to Canadians who feel that these political shifts disrespect their vote and weaken democratic accountability?

JD: What I would tell them is that this has always been part of our political system. I think it is healthy to recognize that we are not just receiving people from the right into our party; we are also receiving people from the left. So, yes, we had Chris d’Entremont, Michael Ma, Matt Jeneroux, and Marilyn Gladu coming from the right. But we also have Laurie Idlout from the left, and we have also just elected Dolly Begum, who was the Deputy Leader of the NDP at the provincial level in Ontario.

All of them decided that we must move past the divisions of the moment. What we must do is find a way to all work together to protect our country, defend our sovereignty, and ensure prosperity, protecting our jobs now and in the future.

MS: To what extent do these transitions reflect broader political realignments rather than individual decisions?

JD: I think what people are basically saying is that they are looking for leadership and they are looking for a plan. And this goes beyond the party they belong to, whether they are on the right or the left. People say they are looking for leadership, action, and change, but they also want clear communication about what is being done. Therefore, I believe what is happening right now in Canadian society is that people trust the leadership and the team of Mark Carney, and they agree not only with the plan we presented, which is articulated in the 2025 Budget, but also with the decisions we have made.

We have made very clear decisions. I believe people need to understand the way we view the world, something that was articulated in the Davos speech. Countries and nations have largely agreed with that vision and supported that explanation of what is happening in the world.

MS: Should there be clearer rules or guidelines regulating party switching, or is flexibility essential to the Canadian parliamentary system?

JD: I am always open to looking at ways to strengthen our Canadian parliamentary system. There are many Canadians who believe we don’t have the right political system. People feel we should adopt some form of mixed proportional representation or a different type of political system.

I am always open to looking at ways to strengthen and improve our political system. But there is one thing I know: you cannot have a strong democracy without strong media. Strong media means access to independent, fact-based information.

You cannot have a strong democracy unless Canadians can make their own decisions about the leaders they want, and that depends on independent, fact-based journalism.

We also need strong institutions that support our democracy; that includes the judicial system. We also need the rule of law. We need the national rule of law and the international rule of law.

We need all these elements so that we can live prosperous and successful lives, where not only we thrive, but our children and grandchildren do as well.

MB/MS