Conservative Markham-Unionville MP Ma takes ‘decisive action’ and joins Liberal caucus

By Gene Pereira, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Citing discussions with his constituents, Markham-Unionville MP Michael Ma says now is the “time for unity” and has left the Conservative Party to join Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals.

Ma announced his decision to cross the floor in a statement released by the Liberal Party on December 11.

The local MP is the second Conservative to join the Liberal caucus after Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont departed last month following the tabling of the latest federal budget.

The move gives the Liberal government 171 seats in the House of Commons, one seat shy of a majority.

“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,” said Ma in the statement.

“This is a time for unity and decisive action for Canada’s future.”

The Prime Minister took to social media to say he was “proud” to welcome MP Ma to the Liberal team.

“Look forward to working together to build our country, protect our communities, and create more opportunities for the people of Markham-Unionville and all across Canada,” said PM Carney in his statement on X (formerly Twitter).

The Hong Kong-born politician, who defeated Liberal candidate Peter Yuen in a close election for the Markham-Unionville seat held on April 28, 2025, said he came to Canada at the age of 12 as the youngest of seven children, and quickly learned the importance of hard work and resilience.

“Those values – building up others, delivering results, and choosing a path that creates opportunity – have guided me throughout my career in business and now as a member of Parliament,” he said.

In that spirit, Ma said he has concluded that Prime Minister Carney is offering a practical approach needed to deliver on the priorities he says he hears every day while going door-to-door in Markham-Unionville.

“That includes making life more affordable, growing a strong Canadian economy, strengthening community safety, and creating real opportunities for young people and families who are working hard to build their Canadian dream,” he said in the statement.

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre responded to Ma’s decision to join the Liberals on the social media platform X.

In his statement, the Opposition Leader wrote the Markham-Unionville MP was elected to fight against “Liberal inflationary spending,” which Poilievre says drives up the cost of living in his community.

“Today, he chose to endorse the very policies he was elected to oppose,” the CPC leader said in his statement. “The same policies driving up food prices and making life more expensive for all.

“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.”

Ma concluded his statement by saying that he entered public service to help people and focus on solutions and not division.

“I look forward to working with Prime Minister Carney to make sure that Markham-Unionville, and all of Canada, can move forward with confidence and build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous future.”

Photo: Markham-Unionville MP Michael Ma says now is the “time for unity” and has left the Conservative Party to join Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals.