Kitchener MP Rejects Liberal Offer to Switch Parties

An Ontario Conservative MP says she won’t be switching parties anytime soon, despite an effort from the Liberal Party to recruit her.

Kitchener Centre MP Kelly De Ridder mentioned that she received a call from the Liberal Party, trying to persuade her that changing sides would increase her chances of winning in the next election.

She disagrees.

“There needs to be transparency and accountability in government and that’s just the bottom line and it’s being slowly eroded away and the trust in our institutions is going to be gone,” De Ridder told in an interview after sharing her experience in a video on Facebook.

The Liberals currently hold most seats in the House of Commons, after several Conservative MPs crossed over in recent months.

During a press conference earlier this month, shortly after Marilyn Gladu became the latest MP to leave the Conservatives, Prime Minister Mark Carney said those who crossed had brought “a series of perspectives and expertise that is aiding … the government and the country at a crucial time.”

De Ridder says they tried to recruit her too, but she firmly declined.

“They said we’ve noticed what you’re doing in committee and you’re doing really great work. And especially your interest in AI, in digital policy, we think there would be a really good spot for you on our team here,” De Ridder told .

“I said, well, thank you for the flattery and pumping my tires a little, but my answer is still no.”

De Ridder explained that she was informed it would be tough for a Conservative candidate to win in that riding during the next election since Green supporters might back their Liberal opponent.

“It was a conversation that started with, ‘Well, we’re gonna put someone in Kitchener Centre that is gonna be supported by both the Liberals and the Greens, so you don’t really stand a chance in the next election. You might as well come over to our side.'”

has reached out to the Liberal Party for comment.

The Green Party’s Mike Morrice was holding onto his seat during April 2025 federal elections but lost it to De Ridder.

De Ridder won with 20,217 votes-358 more than Morrice’s total of 19,859. The Liberal candidate Brian Adeba came third with 17,298 votes. It was one of three local seats flipped by Conservatives during that election. The other two were Cambridge and Kitchener South-Hespeler.

Kelly De Ridder, seen outside her Kitchener Centre campaign office in a photo from her Facebook page. (Kelly De Ridder for Kitchener Centre/Facebook)

Green Party leader responds

Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, told “Green voters would never support anyone but Mike Morrice to be their MP.”

Morrice mentioned he’s focused on preparing for the next election.

“If I learned anything from last time, it’s that we just need to work that much harder and engage with more folks,” he said.

“I’ve been nominated as candidate with Greens in Kitchener Centre since early fall; I’ve been canvassing regularly since then without any contact from either Liberals or Conservatives.”

The pros and cons of speaking out

De Ridder shared why it felt necessary for her to talk about receiving that call and turning them down.

“Personally I was starting to get frustrated with all blame being placed on Conservative Party and our leader. What’s happening here is active recruitment towards another party; someone needed to tell that story,” she stated. “That someone I guess has got to be me.”

Andrea Perrella is an associate professor of political science at Wilfrid Laurier University located in Waterloo. He mentions it’s not uncommon for parties trying recruiting members across party lines.

“It does happen quite often; however it’s rare when someone receiving such invitations goes public about it,” he noted. “It can damage or strain relationships.”

“There’s some degree of goodwill you want maintained among members from different parties; despite what media portrayals suggest-they don’t hate each other-they do collaborate together.”

Perrella added there could also be benefits from being open about such situations as well.

“If there’s any risk regarding viability as a candidate , then this essentially tells voters ,‘You stand alongside me , and I will stand beside you’.. this strengthens reputation as loyal Conservative,” he explained.

This reputation might assist during upcoming elections especially within Kitchener Centre riding which has become increasingly divided among voters.

“[Kitchener Centre] can shift between various parties repeatedly. There have been numerous representatives covering this area both federally & provincially. It remains uncertain ground politically speaking,” Perrella added.

If she retains solid base support among Conservatives within Kitchener centre then such pronouncement may help secure those votes.”

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