Close X
Wednesday, October 30, 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

Canada's first conflict of interest and ethic commissioner, Mary Dawson, dies

Canada's first conflict of interest and ethic commissioner, Mary Dawson, dies
Former conflict of interest and ethics commissioner Mary Dawson has died. The commissioner's office posted a statement on its website today announcing it is saddened to learn of Dawson's death on Dec.24.

Canada's first conflict of interest and ethic commissioner, Mary Dawson, dies

Conservation group buys out hunting rights in B.C. rainforest to protect wildlife

Conservation group buys out hunting rights in B.C. rainforest to protect wildlife
A conservation group says its latest purchase of exclusive hunting rights in a British Columbia rainforest is a major step toward protecting the area's wildlife, but hunters say the move is an "abuse" of the licensing system. 

Conservation group buys out hunting rights in B.C. rainforest to protect wildlife

Christmas Day assault at NewWest SkyTrain

Christmas Day assault at NewWest SkyTrain
Police in Metro Vancouver say they're investigating a Christmas Day assault at a SkyTrain station that left the victim with serious injuries. They say officers were called to the New Westminster station at about 5 P-M.  

Christmas Day assault at NewWest SkyTrain

Vancouver jail guard charged with assault

Vancouver jail guard charged with assault
The B-C Prosecution Service says a Vancouver jail guard has been charged with assault.  The service says Special Municipal Constable Omar Ahmed Flores faces one count of assault related to an incident at the Vancouver Police Department's jail last January.   

Vancouver jail guard charged with assault

Third child under 10 dies of complications linked to influenza in B.C.

Third child under 10 dies of complications linked to influenza in B.C.
The latest update from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control says it received three reports of influenza-related deaths in children aged under 10 during the final week of 2023. It says that means influenza was a contributing factor but not necessarily the primary cause of death in the children.

Third child under 10 dies of complications linked to influenza in B.C.

Witnesses need to come forward in shooting, plea from Coquitlam RCMP

Witnesses need to come forward in shooting, plea from Coquitlam RCMP
Mounties in Coquitlam say they're looking for witnesses and video footage of a shooting Thursday afternoon. Coquitlam R-C-M-P say nobody was injured in the shooting, which happened before 3 p-m around Johnson Street and Glen Drive.

Witnesses need to come forward in shooting, plea from Coquitlam RCMP