Kamloops MP Arnold weighs in as Carney nears majority government

Apr 13, 2026 | 12:38 PM

KAMLOOPS — By the end of the night, Prime Minister Mark Carney may have his majority government, as votes are cast in three separate by-elections.

Entering the day, the Liberals were one seat shy of majority status, thanks in part to five opposition MPs crossing the floor – four from the Conservatives and one from the NDP. Opponents have called Carney shady for what they claim are backroom deals that undermine democracy.

“The floor crossers have abandoned their voters that put them in the roles that they are in,” said Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies MP Mel Arnold. “I don’t want to waste or use any of my time dealing with that. I’m focused on my constituents here. I can guarantee them that I will never cross the floor.”

Arnold also said he may support future legislation that require floor crossers to contest a by-election under their new party banner. Previous attempts legislation that would have required MPs to automatically face a byelection if they changed parties, was voted down in 2012.

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The New Democrats voted in favour of the bill, while Conservatives, Liberals, the four Bloc MPs and Elizabeth May voted against Bill C-306. Three Conservative MPs James Bezan, Blake Richards and Brad Trost voted in favour of the legislation.

Should Carney secure his majority, Arnold could also see his role in Ottawa altered slightly.

“It will depend on what the government decides to do with committee work,” Arnold said. “I’m the vice-chair of the Standing Committee of Fisheries. If the government want’s to change it so they have a majority number on committees, they may be able to do that if they form a majority.”

“That is all speculation I guess of what may happen, and Prime Minister Carney might be the only one that knows that.”

by Michael Reeve

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Kamloops MP Arnold weighs in as Carney nears majority government

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