For nearly an entire year following the federal election in the spring of 2025, the political climate in Ottawa was defined by a balance of power that seemed to shift from week to week, driven by political manoeuvring, floor crossings and by-elections.
However, that changed with decisive federal byelections on April 13 of this year. Leading up to the by-elections, the minority Liberal government had been working hard to consolidate its power through backroom talks with potential floor-crossers. Ultimately, four opposition MPs crossed the floor, including a defection from the NDP, bringing the government closer to a majority – with Parliament split at 170 Liberal seats and 170 for the opposition.
The results of this spring’s by-elections – a Liberal sweep of the three ridings (two in Toronto and one in Montreal) – confirmed the majority government the Liberals had been seeking.
This new majority is not only reflected in votes in the House of Commons – it also extends to the composition of parliamentary committees, where the government is now better positioned to advance its priorities, for better or worse.
On the opposition side, following its worst electoral result, the NDP held a leadership race, also this spring. NDP members across the country elected Avi Lewis as the party’s new leader. The urgent task for Lewis and the federal New Democrats is to rebuild the party’s ranks and redefine its role in Ottawa. The challenge is clear: to once again become a strong voice for working people.
For Steelworkers, these two dynamics are closely linked. A slim majority Parliament can create opportunities to advance our demands, but a strong opposition capable of applying pressure can make that work easier.
In the months ahead, the real test will be whether a government now in a position of strength will continue to listen to workers and deliver real results for our jobs and our communities.
This article appears in the Summer 2026 issue of USW@Work magazine.
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