MP Lori Idlout made a shrewd political move this week that will be good for her career in the long term, and that could benefit Nunavut, even if her own credibility takes a short-term hit.

After Idlout bashed the Liberal governments of both Mark Carney and Justin Trudeau for four years, it’s hard to imagine how the former New Democrat will be comfortable at home in the Liberal caucus after crossing the floor on Tuesday.

As recently as Feb. 19, Idlout accused Liberal Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty of applying a “Band-Aid” solution when she announced a one-year, $115-million extension of the Inuit Child First Initiative.

“These are just promises waiting to be broken,” Idlout said at the time.

Last October, when asked about a review of the Nutrition North grocery subsidy program the Liberal government launched in 2024, Idlout said she had confidence in former Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Aluki Kotierk, who the government tapped to conduct the review.

“I do not have confidence that the Liberal government will implement her recommendations,” Idlout told a reporter then.

How do you walk back talk of broken promises and a lack of confidence? Was that just political rhetoric? Or was Wednesday’s talk about being “so warmly welcomed” into the Liberal party just rhetoric?

Reader comments on the story about Idlout’s switch were (uncharacteristically) mixed.

Some called her a “traitor” to Nunavummiut, or said the move was a “slap in the face” to the NDP. Many Nunavummiut voted for her because they wanted a New Democrat — not a Liberal — representing them in Ottawa.

Another defended the move, saying electing Idlout was a vote for the MP herself, not for the NDP.

One predicted Idlout will have a better chance advocating for food security and infrastructure as a government MP than as a New Democrat.

Peter Ittinuar, an MP when Nunavut was part of the Northwest Territories, speculated Idlout’s switch might be an attempt to gain political “leverage.” Being part of the government will give her access to powerful cabinet ministers she wouldn’t have as an opposition MP.

Ittinuar should know. He also crossed the floor in 1982, also jumping from the NDP to the Liberals.

In a lucky coincidence, Nunatsiaq News this week published a three-part column by former senator Dennis Patterson who retold the history of Ittinuar’s political gamble.

When he submitted his columns, Patterson said it would be “topical” to revisit the Ittinuar episode in light of the recent string of three Conservatives who moved to the Liberals. He noted that Idlout was “at least considering” crossing the floor.

Who knew how perfectly timed Patterson’s column would prove to be?

All this said, Idlout bailing on the NDP wasn’t much of a surprise.

After the April 2025 federal election where Carney’s Liberals were left with a minority government, there was immediate speculation the prime minister would try to entice some opposition MPs to join his party.

Idlout never unequivocally ruled it out.

This floor-crossing, along with three byelections next month, puts Carney within striking distance of a majority government.

If the Liberals score that majority government, Carney might be able to stave off another general election until 2029.

By then, Nunavut voters will likely have forgotten whatever sting they felt from Idlout’s abandoning the NDP.