Close X
Friday, November 1, 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

COVID19 activity slumping in BC

COVID19 activity slumping in BC
The sharp uptick in B-C's COVID-19 activity may be waning, according to the latest data from the province's Centre for Disease Control. Numbers show new hospitalizations dropped to 144 in the week ending November 4th, down from 296 three weeks earlier.

COVID19 activity slumping in BC

Heavy rain, wind and snow expected for portions of B.C. over next several days

Heavy rain, wind and snow expected for portions of B.C. over next several days
The agency has issued multiple warnings for Metro Vancouver, saying 50 to 70 millimetres of rain is expected to hit the Fraser Valley and the Northshore and northeast regions beginning tonight. Forecasters say the rain should taper off over parts of Metro Vancouver on Saturday morning but persist in the Fraser Valley until the evening.  

Heavy rain, wind and snow expected for portions of B.C. over next several days

Canada investigating 'threats' to Air India, say transport minister and RCMP

Canada investigating 'threats' to Air India, say transport minister and RCMP
Canada's transport minister and the RCMP say an investigation is underway into what they call "threats" against Air India, after an online video warned people not to fly on the airline on Nov. 19. Pablo Rodriguez says in a social media post that the government takes any threat to aviation "extremely seriously."

Canada investigating 'threats' to Air India, say transport minister and RCMP

Kamloops man sentenced for murder

Kamloops man sentenced for murder
A B-C Supreme Court judge has sentenced a 35-year-old man from Kamloops to four years in prison for fatally stabbing another man outside a city centre motel more than three years ago. A jury had convicted James Sanford of manslaughter for the 2020 killing of a 34-year-old man.

Kamloops man sentenced for murder

B.C. shifts ambulance staffing for rural communities in bid to boost emergency care

B.C. shifts ambulance staffing for rural communities in bid to boost emergency care
British Columbia is shifting its ambulance paramedics staffing model for 60 rural and remote communities in what Health Minister Adrian Dix says is an "unprecedented" investment in emergency health care. Dix says three new staffing models for paramedics would increase the number of on-duty ambulance workers during nights and other off-peak times.

B.C. shifts ambulance staffing for rural communities in bid to boost emergency care

Feds, mayors don't want to 'slow things down' after premiers criticize housing deals

Feds, mayors don't want to 'slow things down' after premiers criticize housing deals
Federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser, who has been travelling across Canada to highlight such agreements made directly with cities, says he was also surprised by the backlash — but is not planning to back down.  

Feds, mayors don't want to 'slow things down' after premiers criticize housing deals