By Greg Fry

MP McLeod: No need for floor-crosser to face by-election

Sep 20, 2018 | 9:49 AM

OTTAWA — Should floor-crossing former Liberal MP Leona Alleslev from Ontario have to face a by-election under the Conservative Party banner?

No, according to Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod.

“(The Conservative Party has) never taken that position,” she says. “We believe that there are elections at minimum every four years and certainly she’ll be facing the electorate in a year and will be having to stand up and justify her decision at that time.”

As for Alleslev’s decision to switch parties, she admits she was “very surprised.”

“But I think what she said really represented what I heard during the summer in terms of the non-serious approach (of the Liberal government), the very significant issues that are being faced by the world.”

The Creative Edge

PEARCE: The quiet power of handwriting

May 12, 2026

Question of the Week

Are you in favour of responsible alcohol consumption during the summer in Riverside Park?

May 11, 2026

1000 WAYS TO HEAL

1000 WAYS TO HEAL: Standing up in a good way

May 11, 2026

McLeod also pointed out it’s very unusual for a sitting MP in government to switch over to the Opposition benches.

Alleslev represents the riding of Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill and has a military background, including experience with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

When outlining the reasons for her defection to the Conservatives, she was critical of decisions made by the federal government to buy old jets from Australia instead of purchasing new equipment.

The next federal election is scheduled for October 21, 2019.

by Greg Fry

Click here to report an error or typo in this article

MP McLeod: No need for floor-crosser to face by-election

Our Community