The Liberal government swiftly restructured parliamentary committees to secure a majority of seats after three new MPs were sworn in, leading to accusations of a power grab from opposition parties.

Liberal Majority Secured

The changes occurred on Monday, following the swearing-in of Doly Begum, Danielle Martin, and Tatiana Auguste, who won their seats in recent byelections. The Liberals passed a motion to restructure committees, ensuring they now hold a majority on each.

Debate Limited

Prior to the committee restructuring, the Liberals also moved to limit debate on the changes. This action drew criticism from opposition MPs who argued the government was consolidating power in an undemocratic manner. Committees are vital for scrutinizing legislation, calling witnesses, and requesting documents.

Government Defends Changes

Government House leader Steven MacKinnon defended the move, stating it aligns with a long-standing parliamentary tradition. He acknowledged the situation was unusual, but maintained that majority governments typically control committee majorities.

Opposition Response

Opposition House leader Andrew Scheer criticized the new MPs, suggesting they were expected to follow party directives without independent thought. “The very first vote that these new Liberal MPs will pronounce on will be a vote to shut down debate,” Scheer stated.

Byelections and Party Dynamics

The Liberals now hold 174 seats, bolstered by five defections from the Conservatives and NDP in the past six months. Begum and Martin replaced Bill Blair and Chrystia Freeland in Toronto-area seats, while Auguste achieved a historic win in Terrebonne, Quebec.

NDP Setback

NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice announced his departure from the party to sit as an Independent, and subsequently resigned to run provincially for Québec solidaire. This reduces the NDP’s representation to just five seats. Party leader Avi Lewis stated Boulerice’s plans predated his leadership.

Upcoming Byelection

A byelection will be called within six months for Boulerice’s former riding of Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie. The initial report on these events was published by The Canadian Press on April 27, 2026.