Legislators’ Motivations for Leaving Their Party: The Canadian Case

This paper discusses the reasons why elected officials leave their political party while still in office and sit as an Independent. This class of politicians is distinct because it encompasses legislators who exit a party caucus voluntarily and who choose to discontinue their political career with any political party. The review of news stories, political biographies and scholarly sources sets the groundwork for integrating Canadian data collected via interviews with legislators, party leaders and political staff. The paper contributes to knowledge by differentiating the motivations of this class of legislator from those who switch political parties.