Close X
Monday, November 4, 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

Delta Police need help in investigation

Delta Police need help in investigation
Police in Delta are asking for the public's help in their investigation into a crash between motorcycle and white sedan on Sunday. They say the 17-year-old motorcyclist had serious but non-life-threatening injuries.   

Delta Police need help in investigation

IHIT identifies victim

IHIT identifies victim
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is identifying the victim in what it has classified as a suspicious death. It says a 58-year-old man was found with serious injuries on Klein Lake Forest Service Road in Egmont on Saturday and while first responders provided first aid, he died of his injuries.

IHIT identifies victim

Gurdwaras call for public inquiry in Nijjar's death

Gurdwaras call for public inquiry in Nijjar's death
The councils say it is clear, based on public reports, that intelligence agencies were aware of the threat to Nijjar's life, which --quote-- "suggests a concerning failure of Canada's security agencies to prevent a foreseeable violent crime and gives rise to wider concerns within the community."

Gurdwaras call for public inquiry in Nijjar's death

Immigration drives massive Canadian population increase: StatCan

Immigration drives massive Canadian population increase: StatCan
Statistics Canada says immigration is almost solely responsible for the largest annual population boom Canada has seen since 1957. The newly released data shows Canada's population grew by more than a million people between from July 2022 to July 2023, which represents an increase of about three per cent. 

Immigration drives massive Canadian population increase: StatCan

B.C. sets housing targets for 10 municipalities, urges immediate federal support

B.C. sets housing targets for 10 municipalities, urges immediate federal support
The British Columbia government has set out its first set of targets for thousands of new homes to be built in 10 cities or municipalities in an effort to chip away at the provincial housing crisis. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon announced Tuesday the communities, located mostly within the Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria regions, will have five years to deliver on the new housing-unit goals set out in the plan.

B.C. sets housing targets for 10 municipalities, urges immediate federal support

Weather advisories lifted after first B.C. storm of the season

Weather advisories lifted after first B.C. storm of the season
Wind warnings have been lifted in most areas of British Columbia, while high water advisories remain up for Vancouver Island and the southwest coast after the first major storm of the fall swept through. Environment Canada has taken down the wind warnings for coastal B.C. for all areas accept Haida Gwaii, where it says winds of 90 kilometres per hour, gusting to 110, are expected to ease by Tuesday. 

Weather advisories lifted after first B.C. storm of the season