Michael Ma, Member of Parliament for Markham–Unionville, announced today that he is leaving the Conservative Party to join Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government caucus.
The decision was detailed in a statement released by the Liberal Party, in which Ma said he had informed the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Leader of the Opposition of his intention to cross the floor.
“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,” Ma said.
He added that “this is a time for unity and decisive action for Canada’s future.”
Ma, who arrived in Canada at age 12 as the youngest of seven children, noted that the values of hard work and resilience have shaped his career in business and public life.
He said those values led him to conclude that the prime minister is offering “the steady, practical approach we need to deliver on the priorities I hear every day while door knocking in Markham–Unionville.”
According to Ma, those priorities include affordability, economic growth, community safety, and opportunities for young people and families.
“I entered public service to help people — to focus on solutions, not division,” he stated.
Ma said he looks forward to working with the prime minister to ensure that Markham–Unionville and the rest of the country “can move forward with confidence and build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous future.”
