Close X
Tuesday, October 29, 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

Cyclist stabbed in Victoria

Cyclist stabbed in Victoria
Officers in Victoria say they’ve arrested a man accused of randomly stabbing a cyclist outside police headquarters. Investigators say the victim was passing by this morning when they were approached by the suspect and slashed with a knife.

Cyclist stabbed in Victoria

Passenger airplane crashes in Northwest Territories, injuries unknown

Passenger airplane crashes in Northwest Territories, injuries unknown
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says a plane that crashed near Fort Smith, N.W.T., was a British Aerospace Jetstream registered to Northwestern Air Lease. The airline's website says it has two of the planes in its fleet that can carry 19 passengers. There is no word on how many people were on the plane that crashed, or if there are any injuries or fatalities.  

Passenger airplane crashes in Northwest Territories, injuries unknown

Shots fired, Molotov cocktail thrown inside Edmonton City Hall, police say

Shots fired, Molotov cocktail thrown inside Edmonton City Hall, police say
Police were investigating a shooting Tuesday at Edmonton City Hall, where a Molotov cocktail was also thrown from the building's second floor. Police said no injuries were reported. Officers arrested one person and were doing a sweep of the building. 

Shots fired, Molotov cocktail thrown inside Edmonton City Hall, police say

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh kicks off caucus retreat with pitch for next election

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh kicks off caucus retreat with pitch for next election
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is making a pitch to Canadians that his party is a viable alternative to the Liberals or Conservatives when voters to the ballot box in the next federal election. Singh kicked off his party's caucus retreat in Edmonton today with the simple message that New Democrats can be trusted.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh kicks off caucus retreat with pitch for next election

Federal use of Emergencies Act was unreasonable, judge rules

Federal use of Emergencies Act was unreasonable, judge rules
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association and several other groups and individuals had argued in court that Ottawa ushered in the emergency measures without sound statutory grounds. The government contended the steps taken to deal with the pan-Canadian turmoil were targeted, proportional, time-limited and compliant with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  

Federal use of Emergencies Act was unreasonable, judge rules

Feds to launch Canada-U.S. engagement strategy as presidential election looms

Feds to launch Canada-U.S. engagement strategy as presidential election looms
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government will launch a renewed effort to promote Canada's interests in the United States as the spectre of another Trump presidency looms. He announced the "Team Canada engagement strategy" at the final day of a cabinet retreat in Montreal on Tuesday.  

Feds to launch Canada-U.S. engagement strategy as presidential election looms