Kingston MP says by-election results show Canadians back governing Liberals

Despite now having a majority, Mark Gerretsen says his government will continue to work with opposition MPs in order to pass bills.

Mark Gerretsen believes Monday's federal by-election results shows Canadians have faith in Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The Kingston and the Islands MP weighed in on the three ridings that were all taken by the Liberals: Scarborough Southwest, University-Rosedale, and Terrebonne. The three seats pushed the government from a minority position to a majority one with 174 seats.

Getting a majority government through a by-election is rare but Gerretsen says it showed how Canadians are gaining confidence in his party.

Of the eight seats that were gained since last April's general election, five were obtained after sitting MPs decided to switch parties or "cross the floor". One of the three by-election winners was Doly Begum who resigned as an NDP MPP in order to run for the federal Liberals in the same Scarborough Southwest riding.

Many Canadians feels those who do switch parties in the middle of a term are betraying the consituents who voted for them.

But Gerretsen feels that shouldn't stop them from aligning with a party that agrees with their values.

A majority government allows bills, especially ones that are considered confidence measures like budgets, to be passed without having to rely on opposition parties for passage.

Despite that, Gerretsen says his government will continue to work with opposition MPs in order to pass bills.

Gerretsen also serves as government whip in the House of Commons. One would think having a majority government would make his job of getting enough votes to pass legislation a little more easier.

But he says that is hardly the case.

Parliament is expected to resume next Monday.

Story by Ken Hashizume