Floor crossing shows ‘dissent’ in Conservative party, ‘there could be more’: Liberal strategist

Liberal strategist Sabrina Grover joins Alberta Primetime to discuss the latest MP to join the Liberal caucus ahead of the party's convention.

Liberal strategist Sabrina Grover joins Alberta Primetime host Michael Higgins to discuss the latest Conservative MP crossing the floor to the Liberals ahead of the party’s convention.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Michael Higgins: A lot of political watchers are surprised to see Marylin Gladu cross the floor given the social conservative values she’s reflected in the past.

Do you see this moving Liberal values further to the right?

Sabrina Grover: I don’t think it’s going to affect Liberal values, but I do think it is an important thing that caucus and the Prime Minister’s Office and the prime minister himself are going to have to manage. I don’t think that it’s going to be a values conversation. It’s a big tent. We do have a number of different kinds of folks in this Liberal party. This is stretching that tent a little bit, and I think that that is an important consideration. But more importantly the question is going to be: How does Marylin fit into caucus? How does that dynamic play out? You’ve already seen a lot of interesting caucus management issues over the last couple of years, including famously Steven Guilbeault leaving cabinet earlier this year. That’s going to be the question. I don’t really think it changes the nature of who the party is, what the values are, and what we’re going to talk about this weekend when we gather on the convention floor.

MH: How important was it to have this happen before the party’s convention this weekend?

SG: It was important for it to happen not just before the convention, but also before the byelections. It really gives some certainty to the weight of the byelections and what they mean for the Liberals. Mostly it means the Liberals retain or regain control of committees, which means it’s easier for them to set the agenda. It’s easier for them to get through some of the policies that they believe in, important things that they want to see done, things that reflect some of the major investments that we’ve seen Mark Carney announce over the last couple of weeks. That is a contrast to perhaps the fall sitting, where we didn’t see a ton get through the house. This reflects a new moment for spring and a new moment for the Liberals to actually achieve outcomes over the next little while.

MH: Have we reached the peak of floor crossing? Is Marylin Gladu likely the last?

SG: From my perspective MP Gladu’s crossing demonstrates there is dissent and perhaps toxicity in the Conservative caucus that we’re not hearing about. Earlier this week we also saw Katy Merrifield, Pierre Poilievre’s communications director, leave. So I’m sensing there is some unrest in that caucus. Not only because a year ago they were told they were going to be the government, and now they’re not. They’re also seeing Mark Carney achieve things and do things they might be interested in that reflects not only liberal values but really reflects Canadian values and the way that Canada’s going to show up in the world. So I think there could be more. The one thing we’re certain of is the next person to cross over doesn’t give this government a majority, so it makes it a little bit easier. If you’re a backbench Conservative member right now and you’re not thinking about running again in the next election, why wouldn’t you take the opportunity to be on government benches?

MH: Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux, who also crossed the floor, will speak at the convention.

What are you expecting to hear from him?

SG: One of the things Matt really brings to the conversation is that Alberta perspective, and it’s a bit different than what the Conservatives are bringing. That’s important given the context of where Alberta is right now, having both conversations with respect to the MOU and nation building projects, but then on the other side talking about separation. It’s important for Liberal MPs from Alberta to reflect what we’re fighting for. We’re fighting for federation, talking about the nation building project that is Canada. That’s the kind of perspective Matt can really bring to the table, while also bringing sort of that lens of: What does energy policy mean? Not just in the context of Canada, but specifically what does it mean in the context of the prairies and Alberta.

MH: Where do you see policy discussions going this weekend, especially with byelections looming?

SG: The Liberals are actually famously known for having a lot of the policy that’s talked about in constituency associations move to convention and then actually move to government policy, which is what we’ve seen in the past. A lot of the policy discussions this weekend reflect some of our growing concerns that Canadians are having. There’s a lot to do around affordability, which we’re hearing on the ground. I’m sure MPs are hearing about it at the doors. There’s also conversations about emerging technology and AI, and I think that that’s important to come from the grassroots because these are the folks that are closest to it. Whether it means social media harms for kids, or AI harms for kids. What does that mean? You’ll see a lot of that conversation happen this week at the convention floor.

MH: Separation has been a big talking point in Quebec in the past. How much do you expect Liberal party members to be talking about the prospect of a separation referendum in Alberta?

SG: When you look at the question between Alberta and Quebec, at the end of the day nothing really is similar except for the fact both provinces might be talking about separation. The nature of the question, the historical roots, the question itself, are so radically different. They’re really two different and distinct conversations. One of the things that I think Danielle Smith has done, either on purpose or or unknowingly, is really muddy the waters on the referendum when it comes to the Clarity Act. We’ve got nine questions on the referendum outside of a possible question on separation. It’s unlikely that any question would even meet the benchmark. So the question for federal Liberals right now is: Is it worth talking about that question and the referendum itself, or is it more worth talking about some of those bigger policies that Alberta wants to see Incorporated? Things like the rest of the deadlines on the MOU, talking about moving some of those projects to the major projects office. I think that’s more productive. I don’t think necessarily delving on the question or delving on the referendum is going to be helpful.