OTTAWA:Former cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland officially vacated her seat in the House of Commons on Friday, temporarily reducing the Liberal government’s numbers at a time when it had been within striking distance of securing a majority.
Freeland’s resignation adds to an already fluid parliamentary situation following the December adjournment. On the final sitting day before the break, the Liberals gained an additional seat when former Conservative MP Michael Ma crossed the floor to join the governing party. He followed Chris d’Entremont, who defected to the Liberals in November.
Ma’s defection had left Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government just one seat short of a majority. Freeland’s departure now moves the Liberals back another seat, at least for the time being.
Although Freeland’s former riding is considered a safe Liberal seat, it is expected to remain vacant when Members of Parliament return to the House later this month.
Under parliamentary procedure, the Speaker of the House of Commons must formally notify the chief electoral officer of the vacancy. Once that notice is given, the government will have between 11 and 180 days to call a byelection to fill the seat.
