{UAH} Leona Alleslev leaves Liberals, crosses floor to sit as Conservative MP

Leona Alleslev leaves Liberals, crosses floor to sit as Conservative MP

By Amanda Connolly National Online Journalist  Global News

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Aurora-Oak Ridge-Richmond Hill MP Leona Alleslev announced on Monday that she would be leaving the Liberal party in favour of the Conservatives, citing the "silence" she received when she attempted to raise concerns about the party's policy positions with senior party members.

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A Toronto-area Liberal MP, Leona Alleslev, is crossing the floor to join the Conservative Party.

READ MORE: Tories trash Trudeau trade tactics on NAFTA in preview of fall priorities

Alleslev, who represents the riding of Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill, rose on a question of privilege at 1:35 p.m. ET on Monday and announced she had taken an oath to serve her country while serving as a member of the air force, and that she no longer felt she could do that in the Liberal Party.

"My oath is to my country and not my party," she said.

"Do not accept the status quo. Our country is at stake."

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer welcomed former Liberal MP Leona Alleslev to his party on Monday, announcing she would be taking on the newly-created role of global security critic.

WATCH: Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer welcomes Leona Alleslev after Liberal defection

"On behalf of my Conservative colleagues, I'm extremely pleased to welcome Ms. Alleslev to the Conservative team," Scheer said. "She brings with her an extraordinary wealth of experience in military and foreign affairs, government procurement, and private sector leadership. She will be a strong asset in our growing Conservative team as we work toward 2019."

READ MORE: A brief history of floor crossing in Ottawa

WATCH: Constituents react to Leona Alleslev's floor crossing. Shallima Maharaj reports.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also commented on her crossing as he went into question period.

"This is something we allow for in our system," said Trudeau. "I wish her well in her decision."

Alleslev previously served as a captain with the Royal Canadian Air Force and was elected in the 2015 election.

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