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Michael Ma

Michael Ma () is a Canadian politician who has served as a member of Parliament (MP) for Markham—Unionville since 2025. A member of the Liberal Party, Ma was elected in the April 2025 federal election as a Conservative, before crossing the floor in December.

Early life and education

Ma was born in Hong Kong and immigrated to Canada at the age of 12. He was raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he attended primary and post-secondary schooling.

Political career

2019 federal election

Ma unsuccessfully ran in Don Valley East in the 2019 election as a Conservative, losing to incumbent Liberal MP Yasmin Ratansi.

2025 federal election

Ma was appointed as the Conservative Party's candidate in Markham—Unionville on the day the general election was called. He initially ran against incumbent Liberal MP Paul Chiang, who withdrew from the race after suggesting to a media outlet that a political opponent, Joe Tay, could be turned into the Chinese consulate in return for a bounty. Chiang was replaced as the Liberal candidate by Peter Yuen. Ma ultimately defeated Yuen and flipped the seat for the Conservatives.

45th Canadian Parliament

On December 11, 2025, Ma crossed the floor to join the governing Liberal caucus, citing the "steady, practical approach" of Prime Minister Mark Carney. At the time, the move put the Liberals within one seat of a majority government. He was the second Conservative MP to cross to the Liberals in the 45th Parliament, after Chris d'Entremont of Acadie—Annapolis crossed the floor in November.

In January 2026, Ma joined Prime Minister Mark Carney on his trip to China and Qatar.

On the March 26, 2026, Margaret McCuaig-Johnston, an academic and former civil servant who specialises in Canada–China relations, testified before a meeting of the Industry Committee, which was in the process of investigating the use of forced labour in China. Ma asked McCuaig-Johnston if she had ever personally witnessed the use of forced labour in Shenzhen, and if her testimony on the issue was based on hearsay. McCuaig-Johnston later criticised these questions, saying that Ma was "overall trying to undermine" her testimony. Ma later released a statement condemning "forced labour in all its forms", but declined to speak about China specifically.

Electoral history

References