Conservative MP Eve Adams to join Liberal Party

Banned from seeking re-election as a Conservative because she broke party rules, MP Eve Adams bolted the government’s benches Monday to join Justin Trudeau’s Liberals.

Adams made the announcement this morning alongside Trudeau in ottawa. She called the Harper government “mean spirited” and says she can no longer support a leadership that divides people instead of bringing them together.

Adams represents Mississauga-Brampton in the House of Commons, and plans on announcing which riding shortly but says it will be in the GTA. She dropped out of a bitter nomination contest in the riding of Oakville North-Burlington, which also led to her fiancee Dimitri Soudas to be fired from his top role with the Conservative party.

Adams says today is bittersweet after supporting the party for 25 years. “I want to work with someone who inspires, not with fear-mongerers and bullies. I want to support a leader who strongly and unequivically respects a woman’s right to choose.”

“It is time for a leader who has the ability to rally his team and all Canadians, to steer the country in a more positive, productive and united direction. That leader is Justin Trudeau. That is why after a very long and difficult period of reflection, I have decided to leave the party I’ve served since I was 14 years old, to leave my role as parliamentary secretary to health, to join the Liberal Party of Canada.”

NDP ethics critic Charlie Angus criticized Adams’ move and made a statement today saying “the Liberal Party of Canada is giving us yet another example of cynicism by accepting in their ranks a Conservative MP that has fallen out of favour of the prime minister.”

“Members shouldn’t play petty politics and think only of their career, by changing political parties whenever they like. MPs are elected personally and under their party banner. We must ensure that members are accountable to their constituents.”

Adams plans to sit as a Liberal MP next week when the Commons reconvenes. She insists “this is not about having a bad day at the office.” She says she made this decision because her values don’t align with the Conservative party anymore.

Agencies/Canadajournal