Political numbers that matter in 2026

The Liberal government has been stymied and scuttled at every turn in both the House and in committees. This situation would change dramatically should they get to those elusive 172 seats.

MP Michael Ma, left, crossed the floor from the Conservative Party to join Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals on Dec. 11, 2025, a move that brought the Liberals to within one seat of a majority government at the time.The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson

Opinion

BY ASHTON ARSENAULT

January 22, 2026

With the House resuming this week for the spring session, many numbers are swirling around. Let's start with 172: the all-important number of seats needed to secure a majority in the House of Commons.

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