Close X
Tuesday, November 5, 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

Unusual North Vancouver crash

Unusual North Vancouver crash
A transport truck hauling a large, square container slammed into an overpass in North Vancouver on Tuesday, snarling traffic on Highway 1 for hours, and B.C.'s latest case of overheight mayhem also has a bizarre twist. RCMP say the driver fled after the crash that wedged the tarp-covered box underneath the Main Street overpass of Highway 1, buckling the flatbed trailer supporting it.

Unusual North Vancouver crash

Cross-country rallies against 'gender ideology' in schools meet with counter-protests

Cross-country rallies against 'gender ideology' in schools meet with counter-protests
Protesters accused schools of exposing young students to "gender ideology," and said parents have the right to know whether their children are questioning their gender identity. Counter-demonstrators, meanwhile, accused protesters of importing United States culture wars into the country and trying to deny students important lessons about inclusion and respect for gender-diverse people.  

Cross-country rallies against 'gender ideology' in schools meet with counter-protests

RCMP seek witnesses in Richmond crash

RCMP seek witnesses in Richmond crash
Mounties in Richmond are looking for witnesses after a crash last week between a pedestrian and a motorcycle. Police say both people involved suffered significant injuries as a result of the crash last Thursday on Granville Avenue.

RCMP seek witnesses in Richmond crash

India claims students at risk after envoy insists safety, in 'early stages' of spat

India claims students at risk after envoy insists safety, in 'early stages' of spat
India is warning students headed to Canada of security risks just weeks after its top envoy highlighted their safety, as diplomacy and intelligence experts warn a months-long diplomatic row with India is only just beginning. The building spat undergirds calls for more transparency, and a look at how Canada tackles foreign interference.

India claims students at risk after envoy insists safety, in 'early stages' of spat

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, slain B.C. Sikh leader at heart of diplomatic crisis?

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, slain B.C. Sikh leader at heart of diplomatic crisis?
On June 18, Hardeep Singh Nijjar phoned his eldest son for the last time, to say he was on his way home for dinner. Nijjar is now at the heart of a diplomatic crisis between India and Canada, after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that intelligence services were investigating "credible" information about "a potential link" between India's government and the killing.

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, slain B.C. Sikh leader at heart of diplomatic crisis?

Park ranger assaulted: VPD

Park ranger assaulted: VPD
Police in Vancouver say a woman is facing charges for allegedly assaulting a park ranger who was working in the city's Oppenheimer Park. They say the 39-year-old was arrested yesterday morning.  

Park ranger assaulted: VPD