Michael Higgins: Marilyn Gladu absolutely hated the Liberals — until 8 seconds ago |
Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr
Michael Higgins: Marilyn Gladu absolutely hated the Liberals — until 8 seconds ago
Curious to know what Mark Carney thinks of her views on abortion and conversion therapy
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
The unmitigating gall of Ontario MP Marilyn Gladu is so outrageous that it would, as Kim Carnes sang, make a crow blush.
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.
Unlimited online access to National Post.
National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
Support local journalism.
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.
Unlimited online access to National Post.
National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
Support local journalism.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
Enjoy additional articles per month.
Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
Enjoy additional articles per month
Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
Just seconds ago, Gladu was an anti-Carney, Liberal-despising Conservative. Now she is Mark Carney’s newest and best friend and a Liberal caucus member to boot.
Michael Higgins: Marilyn Gladu absolutely hated the Liberals — until 8 seconds ago Back to video
The electorate didn’t give Carney a majority government but it looks like the prime minister is going to engineer one anyway.
Gladu became the latest Conservative to cross the floor of the House of Commons on Wednesday and join the Liberals, leaving the government one seat shy of the 172 needed for a slim majority.
This newsletter from NP Comment tackles the topics you care about. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)
There was an error, please provide a valid email address.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Platformed will soon be in your inbox.
We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again
Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.
But with three byelections on Monday — two of them in Liberal strongholds — the prime minister can feel fairly confident that by end of Monday he will have his desired majority.
Having five MPs — four Conservative and one NDP — cross the floor to join the Liberals is a pretty impressive feat which must be a testament to how persuasive Carney can be.
Although maybe Gladu just got tired of being in opposition, she was elected in 2015 and so has only known a Liberal government. Politics is about power and sitting on the opposition side of the aisle can be a pretty frustrating experience.
Although frustration is no excuse for selling out your principles and your colleagues.
What is most striking about Gladu’s move is that she has been extremely vocal in her anti-Liberal comments and her support for Conservative positions, so it’s most astonishing to hear her tell her ex-Tory colleagues, in a letter obtained by National Post, “All of you know what I stand for.”
Well, no, they almost certainly don’t know what Gladu now stands for. Does she even know herself? She has betrayed her party, her principles and, looking back on what she has previously written, her politics.
Adam Zivo: Trump's civilizational threats forces Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Michael Higgins: Of course the Liberal finance minister has a conflict of interest
Advertisement 1Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});
Commenting on a National Post story about a Liberal bill that would intrude on privacy and could see people kicked off the internet, Gladu wrote, “More government overreach!!” and added SOS and a Canadian flag.
On a story in March about the Emergency Measures Act being an over-reach by the Liberals, she wrote, “Because violating our Charter Rights has become normal to them.” What kind of principles must you have to join a party that you think routinely violates the Charter?
On a similar theme, she wrote a long tweet lamenting that the Liberal government was appealing a court decision that the use of the Emergency Measures Act was illegal.
“While Canadians continue to line up at food banks in record numbers and food inflation is the highest in the G7, it is appalling that this is what the Liberal government chooses to spend taxpayers money on.
“Clearly, the Liberals refuse to recognize that freezing people’s bank accounts was a violation of their Charter Rights and at no time was there a threat to national security that was beyond existing resources and laws to deal with.
12 million Canadians could get a one-time bonus payment this spring. Here's how to check if you qualify Canada
12 million Canadians could get a one-time bonus payment this spring. Here's how to check if you qualify
Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu crosses floor to Liberals Canada
Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu crosses floor to Liberals
Advertisement 2Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});
Syrian refugee found not criminally responsible for failing to stop after deadly Ontario crash gets absolute discharge Canada
Syrian refugee found not criminally responsible for failing to stop after deadly Ontario crash gets absolute discharge
Adam Zivo: Trump's civilizational threats forces Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz NP Comment
Adam Zivo: Trump's civilizational threats forces Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz
About 20 per cent of gen Z and millennial Canadians still spank their kids. Is that even legal? Canada
About 20 per cent of gen Z and millennial Canadians still spank their kids. Is that even legal?
“Conservatives have always maintained that the imposition of the Emergency Measures Act was unjustified and illegal. The appeal is a waste of time and money.”
Contrast that March 19 tweet with what she said in a letter to her constituents Wednesday.
She was joining the Carney team, she said, because her constituents want, “serious leadership and a real plan to build a stronger and more independent Canadian economy” and because the prime minister would “help lower costs for Canadians.”
Charter rights be damned and to hell with the long lines at the food banks, seems to be her new policy.
As a Liberal she would work to “build a brighter future,” she said in her letter. But she wasn’t seeing the Liberals building a brighter future in February when she laid out the party’s failings.
On a tweet about the Liberals sealing vaccine injury reports for 15 years, she replied, “Usually when the Libs seal documents it’s because they have something to hide… Winnipeg lab , SNC, WE scandals, Green slush fund and now this.”
And on one of the most divisive issues separating the parties — abortion — Gladu takes a Conservative stance telling Global News, when she was standing as a leadership candidate in 2020, that she would allow members of her caucus to bring forward a private members bill to restrict abortion.
In a joint news conference on Wednesday, Carney said he “couldn’t be happier” in welcoming Gladu into the Liberal party. Although, one suspects he isn’t too happy with Gladu’s position on conversion therapy. In 2021, she led a petition in a bid to force the Liberals to water down a federal bill that banned conversion therapy for minors and unwilling adults.
One of the questions that arises with floor crossings is whether the constituents of the MP are now being properly represented. Gladu won her seat with 53 per cent of the vote on a Conservative platform. Do the people of her riding of Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong really want a Liberal when they elected a Conservative?
And will Gladu now hold a byelection after crossing the floor, a position she whole-heartedly supported as late as January.
“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,” she told the local Independent newspaper. “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.”
It appears the only banner Gladu cares about is one with her name on it.
Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
Best BBQs in Canada: Top grills for balconies and backyards This summer we're chillin' and grillin'. 2 hours ago Outdoor & Garden
Best BBQs in Canada: Top grills for balconies and backyards
This summer we're chillin' and grillin'.
What are the hidden lessons of Japan's food culture? A culinary tour of the country's street markets and kitchens reveals what Canadians might be missing 2 hours ago Travel
What are the hidden lessons of Japan's food culture?
A culinary tour of the country's street markets and kitchens reveals what Canadians might be missing
Allergy seasons are getting worse: A doctor’s essential guide for every Canadian household Dr. Amiirah Aujnarain shares tips, advice and products to have on hand for allergy season in Canada. 4 hours ago Wellness
Allergy seasons are getting worse: A doctor’s essential guide for every Canadian household
Dr. Amiirah Aujnarain shares tips, advice and products to have on hand for allergy season in Canada.
Advertisement 3Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});
Score the latest version of Microsoft Office on sale Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business offers the latest in essential productivity tools 6 hours ago Digital Offers
Score the latest version of Microsoft Office on sale
Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business offers the latest in essential productivity tools
Stop buying bad chocolate: Biggest red flags to look for when shopping Here’s what to look for when buying chocolate for baking or snacking. 23 hours ago Food & Drinks
Stop buying bad chocolate: Biggest red flags to look for when shopping
Here’s what to look for when buying chocolate for baking or snacking.