January 6, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
OTTAWA — Scott Anderson, the Conservative Member of Parliament representing Vernon–Lake Country–Monashee in British Columbia, publicly confirmed that he has rebuffed efforts by the governing Liberal Party to entice him to cross the floor and join their ranks a move that could help Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government secure a parliamentary majority. Anderson’s comments, shared via social media on January 5, 2026, underscore ongoing partisan tensions in federal politics as Ottawa navigates a closely divided House of Commons.
In his statement, Anderson emphasized that any suggestion he would defect to the Liberals would constitute a “betrayal” of both his constituents and his core political principles. “It’ll be a cold day in Hell before I even consider betraying my constituents, and you should probably stop asking because I will certainly advertise it every time you try,” he wrote, dismissing suggestions that Liberal overtures have swayed his loyalty.
Anderson’s remarks follow recent floor crossings by two Conservative MPs — Chris d’Entremont in November and Michael Ma last month — who opted to sit with the government benches. Both departures have fuelled speculation about Conservative unity and leadership under Pierre Poilievre, with critics and political rivals pointing to internal party dynamics as factors in the defections.
However, Anderson rejected narratives promoted by the Liberals and certain media outlets suggesting a concerted movement within Conservative ranks to shift allegiance away from Poilievre in favour of a more moderate or “milquetoast” leader. He characterised such claims as a political “myth” intended to undermine his party’s cohesion and distract from policy debates.
The MP also took aim at the Liberal government’s record, accusing it of raising taxes, expanding spending and leveraging “nation-building” promises in an attempt to solidify power tactics he portrayed as incentives for Conservative MPs to defect rather than genuine policy leadership.
Anderson’s firm stance highlights the heightened partisan contest in Parliament, where every seat holds strategic significance amid efforts by the Liberals to advance their legislative agenda. His refusal to cross the floor sends a clear message about his allegiance to Conservative values and the voters who elected him in the 2025 federal election.
Political analysts say floor crossings and public reactions to them continue to shape perceptions of party stability and individual MP accountability in Canadian federal politics, particularly as the government seeks to navigate narrow legislative margins.