In January, Gladu advocated for byelections when MPs switch parties

Heather Wright/The Independent

Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong MP Marilyn Gladu has joined the Liberal government.

In a statement issued this morning, Gladu said she’s “heard clearly from constituents that you want serious leadership and a real plan to build a stronger and more independent Canadian economy.

“That is why I have decided to join Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada’s new government as the newest member of his caucus. It is a privilege to have as your Member of Parliament for more than a decade, and I have made a choice to do the best thing for our community’s priorities, and importantly, for our country.”

“I know that you also want to see more direct support from your federal government at this crucial moment for our local and national economy,” Gladu continued adding she will “be working tirelessly to advocate for the projects, priorities, and prosperity that our communities are counting on.

“Sarnia—Lambton was always a bellwether riding, meaning that whoever our community elected as MP was typically in government. That was true for 52 years before the citizens here elected me four times, throughout which I have served in Opposition and done my best to advocate strongly for you. Today, there is both the opportunity – and the responsibility – to build our country’s strength and success with a more constructive, collaborative approach.”

The Prime Minister posted a photo of the new Liberal MP, dressed in Liberal Red, talking with him in his office.

“I am honoured to welcome Marilyn Gladu today as the newest member of this government and our Liberal caucus,” Carney wrote on X.

“Marilyn brings the practical, results-driven leadership this effort demands. Having spent decades of her career in engineering and international business, she understands what it takes to create good jobs, strengthen supply chains, and ensure Canadian industry can compete in a rapidly changing global economy. She has been elected by the people of Sarnia—Lambton–Bkejwanong in four straight elections since 2015, and repeatedly earned recognition from colleagues across Parliament for her proven willingness to work constructively across party lines.”

Gladu, to some, may seem to be an unlikely MP to cross the floor to join the Liberals. She is considered a social conservative, who has leveled harsh criticism of the Liberal party in her four terms as MP. In 2025, she gave Carney’s first budget as Prime Minister a D grade, saying it did little to help students and seniors and continues the high government spending.

“It’s $78 billion and we know that this kind of spending just pours fuel on the inflationary fire, and it’ll drive the cost of everything up,” Gladu said post budget in November 2025. 

“I think at a time when Canadians are struggling with affordability that’s not what we need.”

And Gladu has also spoken out about sitting MPs changing parties without an election. In January, she backed a petition by London Middlesex MP Lianne Rood calling for elections to be called when MPs cross the floor.

“Really, the whole point of being an MP is to represent your constituents. So if they’re voting you in under one platform – for you to switch for whatever reasons, just seems to me to not be representing what you’re supposed to be there to represent,” Gladu told The Independent in January.

“We elected you under this banner, and if you don’t want to be under that banner, then we deserve a chance to have a redo.”

FIND THE STORY HERE https://petrolialambtonindependent.ca/2026/01/11/gladu-backs-call-for-automatic-by-elections-for-mps-who-switch-parties/

Here’s a snapshot of some of the comments on social media about Gladu’s move.