Close X
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
ADVT 
National

Parliament returns amid partisan wrangling, rumblings about Trudeau's leadership

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Oct, 2024 11:24 AM
  • Parliament returns amid partisan wrangling, rumblings about Trudeau's leadership

The House of Commons returns today from a weeklong break, but it's unlikely to be business as usual.

Members of Parliament resumed an 11th day of debate on a Conservative demand for documents about federal spending on green technology projects.

The matter of privilege has all but paralyzed House business as the Liberals try to maintain a grip on an increasingly fractious minority Parliament.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has also written a letter to House Speaker Greg Fergus, asking for an emergency debate on the RCMP allegations that agents of the Indian government were linked to cases of murder, extortion and coercion in Canada. 

Canada expelled six Indian diplomats and India in turn sent six Canadian envoys home as a result of the allegations.

In the letter, Singh says "the severity of the situation and the danger it poses to all Canadians" warrants an emergency debate so parliamentarians can discuss potential actions to protect people. 

An NDP spokesperson said if Fergus approves the request, the debate could happen as early as Monday evening, once the regularly scheduled sitting of Parliament is over. 

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to face the most serious challenge to his leadership to date.

Several media reports have detailed that a group of Liberal MPs plan to confront Trudeau at the party's Wednesday caucus meeting over sagging poll numbers and gloomy electoral prospects.

The precise strategy and breadth of the attempt to push Trudeau to resign remain unclear, though some MPs who spoke to The Canadian Press on background said the number of members involved is significant.

Trudeau could sidestep both problems by taking the controversial step of proroguing Parliament, which would end the session and set the stage for a fresh throne speech.

Some political watchers have also mused that would allow time for the Liberals to hold leadership race if Trudeau were to step down. 

The prime minister plans to soon shuffle his cabinet to replace four ministers who don't plan to run again in the next election.

A general election must be held by October next year, but it could come sooner if the Liberals lose the confidence of the House.

MORE National ARTICLES

Wet snow warning on Trans-Canada Highway

Wet snow warning on Trans-Canada Highway
B-C is little more than a week into fall, but Environment Canada is warning of wet snow in the northeast and along a stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway. Muncho Lake and Stone Mountain provincial parks west of Fort Nelson are expected to see about 10 centimetres before the snow eases later today.

Wet snow warning on Trans-Canada Highway

Victoria awarded best travel city globally

Victoria awarded best travel city globally
Victoria has been chosen for the second year in a row in the Conde Nast Traveler's 2024 Readers' Choice Award as the number one small city in the world to visit. More than 575-thousand readers across the United States submitted their rating and travel experiences.

Victoria awarded best travel city globally

Media veteran tells inquiry of Beijing's influence on local Chinese outlets in Canada

Media veteran tells inquiry of Beijing's influence on local Chinese outlets in Canada
A media industry veteran is telling a public inquiry today the Chinese community in Canada has long been caught in the crosshairs of political discourse, disinformation and propaganda originating from the Chinese Communist Party.

Media veteran tells inquiry of Beijing's influence on local Chinese outlets in Canada

Small businesses to receive five years' worth of carbon rebates in December

Small businesses to receive five years' worth of carbon rebates in December
Owners of small and medium-sized businesses will finally receive their long-awaited carbon pricing refunds before the end of this year, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced on Tuesday. The Finance Department says the federal government will send more than $2.5 billion to about 600,000 Canadian businesses in December.

Small businesses to receive five years' worth of carbon rebates in December

B.C. Greens release tax-heavy platform as Conservatives push nuclear power

B.C. Greens release tax-heavy platform as Conservatives push nuclear power
Green Leader Sonia Furstenau says her party's 72-page platform, which includes doubling existing property tax rates and adding a new two-per-cent tax on homes over $3 million, is aimed at creating "an economy that serves the people" instead of "delivering harm."

B.C. Greens release tax-heavy platform as Conservatives push nuclear power

Police launch hate crime investigation after protesters clash in Vancouver

Police launch hate crime investigation after protesters clash in Vancouver
Police in Vancouver say they've launched a hate crime investigation after a clash between protesters with opposing views on war in the Middle East. They say it happened outside the Vancouver Art Gallery Sunday night. 

Police launch hate crime investigation after protesters clash in Vancouver